HYMNS  AND  POETRY 


OF  THE 


1 


ARD  -  PICK  - 


c.  ^ 


FROM  THE  LIBRARY  OF 


REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON.  D.  D. 


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PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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Hymns  and 
the  Eastern 


Collected  and  Chronologically  Arranged 
BERNHARD  PICK 


NEW    YORK:  EATON    &    MAINS 
CINCINNATI:  JENNINGS  &  GRAHAM 


Copyright,  igo8,  by 
EATON  &   MAINS. 


(rontent0 

PAGE 

PREFACE 7 

EARLY  ANONYMOUS  HYMNS: 

Morning  Hymn  (A6|a  Iv  vtj/CoTois  fl€«?) 15 

Evening  Hymn  (Atvcire,  iraiScs) 17 

A  Hymn  at  Lamplight  (*ws  iXapov) 17 

A  Prayer  at  Dinner  Table  (EvXo-yriTos  d) 18 

The  Psalm  of  the  Naassenes  (Nifios  ■qv  -ycviKos) 19 

CLEMENT  OF  ALEXANDRIA 20 

Bridle  of  untamed  colts     }  r^  z  '\     \ 

Shepherd  of  tender  youth  f 

METHODIUS 25 

The  Bridegroom  cometh  ("AvwOtv,  irapG^voi) 27 

GREGORY  OF  NAZIANZEN 33 

Hymn  to  Christ  (Sc  tov  a<j>0iTov) 34 

Hymn  to  God  ("12  irdLvrtDv  eir^Kciva) 36 

Hymn  to  Christ  on  Easter  Day  (Xpio-r*  ava|) 38 

To  His  Own  Soul  (Ti  o-oi  Oiktis) 40 

A  Morning  Prayer  ("OpOpios  8£8«|xi) 46 

A  Hymn  at  Night  ( 'E\|;£v<rA|jiT]v  a-t) 46 

An  Evening  Hymn  (Si  Kal  vvv) 47 

Admonitory  Address  to  a  Virgin  (Ilope^v*  vv|*.«J)r]) 48 

To  Himself  (IIov  8c  X6701) 57 

SYNESIUS 58 

Hymn  to  the  Deity  ("A^e  |i,oi,  XCycLa) 60 

Again  we  hail  the  opening  morn  (IldXiv  cj)^^^"^) 67 

Lift  up  thyself,  my  soul  {"Ayt  jioi,  »|fuxa) 70 

To  Thee  at  evening  gray  (Si  jiiv  dpxojji^vas) 70 

Awake,  our  lute,  the  Child  to  sing  ( 'Y|j.vw|ji€v  Kovpov 

vv|i«j>os) 71 

3 


4  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Thee,  with  the  holy  self-sprung  Fount,  we  sing  (Mtra 

ira^yos  i^ytas) 73 

O  my  deathless,  O  my  blessed  (IIpwTos  vijiov  cvp6(xav).  75 

O !  'tis  no  theme  of  common  things  CYiro  Stopiov  ap|io-ydv)  76 

Well-beloved  and  glory-laden  (IIoXu^paTe,  Kv8ip.€) 78 

Christ  the  Son  (Mvwto  Xpi<rW) 80 

EPHRAEM  THE  SYRIAN 81 

On  the  Nativity  of  Our  Lord 86 

Epiphany 87 

On  Palm  Sunday 88 

The  Children  in  Paradise 89 

On  the  Triumphal  Entry  of  Jesus  into  Jerusalein  ....  90 

Lament  of  a  Father  on  the  Death  of  His  Little  Son  . .  91 

Christ  the  Companion  of  the  Disembodied  Soul 92 

Sabbath  Hymn 94 

Battle  Song  Against  Satan 96 

On  the  Death  of  Children 98 

ANATOLIUS 99 

Evening  Hymn  (Tt]v  T](jL^pav  SuXOwv) 102 

For  Christmas  (M^^a  Kal  irapaSolov  6av|Jia) 103 

In  Bethlehem  ('Ev  BT]eX€^n) 104 

For  Saint  Stephen's  Day  (Tw  ^ao-iXci  Kal  SecnriTxi) 105 

On  Christ  Calming  the  Storm  (Zo(j>cpas  Tpucujitas) 105 

ANDREW  OF  CRETE 106 

A  Eucharistic  Hymn  (Ti  p,^-ya  |iv<rT^piov) 107 

For  Palm  Sunday  (*lT]<rovs  vircp  toO  K6(rp,ov) 108 

Christian !  dost  thou  see  them  (Ov  ^dp  pXcircis  tovs  rapdr- 

Tovras  ) 1 09 

The  first  of  all  apostles  (Tov  ^v  Trpo<j>'^Tais) no 

JOHN  OF  DAMASCUS in 

The  wonder-working  Master  ("Eercoo-t  Xaov,  Oavp.aTovp'ywv)  112 

Our  hymns  receive,  Redeemer  (Nevo-ov  irpos  v|avovs).  . .  113 

Habakkuk  in  ancient  song  (F^vovs  pporeCov) 114 

'Tis  the  day  of  resurrection  ( ' Avao-rdo-ews  TiMpo-) 1 1 5 

Come,  let  us  drink  of  that  new  river  (Atvrc  ■n-6)ia  irCwjitv)  116 

Stand  on  thy  watchtower  ('Eirl  ti^s  OeCas  «J)vXaK<is) 116 


CONTENTS  S 

PAGE 

Let  us  rise  in  early  morning  ('Op0pt(rci>|wv  6'pOpou) 117 

Into  the  dim  earth's  lowest  parts  descending  (Kax'fiXOes 

iv  TOis) 118 

Who  from  the  fiery  furnace  saved  the  Three  ('O  iratSas 

CK  Ka|xCvou) 118 

Thou  hallowed  chosen  morn  of  praise  (Avttj  t|  kXtjtiI))  .  .  119 

Shine!  shine!  O  new  Jerusalem  (^arLlov,  ^arllov) 120 

If  the  dark  and  awful  tomb  (El  Kal  Iv  Td4»w) 121 

They  who  with  Mary  came  (IlpoXaPovo-ai  t6v  opOpov) .  .  121 

The  tuneful  sound  of  music  (2vn(|)a»vov  «0p6iio-«v) 122 

Into  the  fiery  furnace  flung  (Avci  rd  Sco-iid) 123 

Jesu,  give  thy  servants  (Taxtiav  Kal  (rTadT]poLv  8(8ov).  .  .  124 

Take  the  last  kiss  (Atvre  TeXtvraiov) 125 

With  pain  earth's  joys  are  mingled  (Ilota  tov  pCow  Tpw<}>i])  1 29 
Let  heaven  rejoice,  and  earth  be  glad  (Ei«j)paiv^<r8«<rav 

ol  ovpavol) 130 

ROMANUS 131 

Bethlehem  hath  opened  Eden  (Ttjv  *E8€|ji  B'qOXceii.) 132 

COSMAS  OF  JERUSALEM 132 

Christ  is  born !    Tell  forth  his  fame !  (Xpio-ros  Ytwdroi* 

So|d(raTc) 134 

Him,  of  the  Father's  very  Essence  (T<p  irpo  t«v  alwvuv)  134 

Rod  of  the  Root  of  Jesse  fPdpSos  ^k  Tfjs  ^(t'Hs) 136 

Father  of  Peace,  and  God  of  Consolation  (©cos  wv  tlprivtis)  137 
As  Jonah,  issuing  from  his  three  days'  tomb  (2'!r\d"Yx*'«v 

'lovdv) 138 

The  Holy  Children  boldly  stand  (01  iraiScs'cvo-ePcCa). . .  138 
The  dewy  freshness  that  the  furnace  flings  (©avjiaros 

vircp<t>vovs) , 139 

O  wondrous  mystery,  full  of  passing  grace !  (Muo-r^piov 

iivov) 140 

He  who  with  His  mighty  hand  (n6vT<j>  cKd\vi|r€) 141 

STEPHEN  THE  SABAITE 142 

Art  thou  weary,  art  thou  languid  (Kdirov  rt  Kal) 142 

THEOPHANES 143 

Adam's  Complaint  CO  irXdo-Ttjs  \u>v  Kvpios) 144 


6  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

THEODORE  OF  THE  STUDIUM 146 

That  fearful  day.thatdayof  speechless  dread  (Tijvtijiepov 

TTJV   «}>PIKT'/Jv) 146 

God  comes; — and  who  shall  stand  before  his  fear?  CO 
Kvpios  €px€Tai) 147 

The  day  is  near,  the  judgment  is  at  hand  ('E<j)^«rTTjK€v  ^ 
Ti|i^pa) 148 

The  Lord  draws  nigh,  the  righteous  throne's  Assessor 
CO  Kvpios  «pX€Tai.) 150 

The  Lord,  the  Lord  hath  triumphed  (Xapio^^piov  ^8t]v)  152 

METHODIUS  1 153 

Are  thy  toils  and  woes  increasing?  (El  Kal  tA  xapovra).  154 

JOSEPH  OP  THE  STUDIUM 154 

Let  our  choir  new  anthems  raise  (Twv  ItpJiv  dO\o(|>6puv)  155 

Jesus,  Lord  of  Life  eternal  ('Iiicrovs  6  5»o86tt)s) 156 

Wafting  Him  up  on  high  (*«T€uvijor«,  <|)ws) 157 

Exalt,  exalt,  the  heavenly  gates  ('EtrApaTe  irvXds).  ...  158 

Of  twofold  natures,  Christ,  the  Giver  (T6v  tv  Svo-t  rals)  158 

After  three  days  Thou  didst  rise  (*Av«<rTTjs  Tpi'<jp,€pos)..  159 

THEOCTISTUS  OF  THE  STUDIUM 160 

Jesu,  name  all  names  above  ('Iii<rov  ^XuKviTaTe) 160 

METROPHANES  OF  SMYRNA 162 

O  Unity  of  Threefold  Light  (Tpi«j>s-y"yT|S  Movds) 162 

SIMEON  METAPHRASTES 163 

O  thou  uncovered  Corse,  Word  of  the  Living  One. ...  163 

ANONYMOUS  HYMNS  OP  THE  LATER  PERIOD: 

Behold,  the  Bridegroom  cometh  ('ISovi  6  vvp,(}>ios  cpxcrai)  164 

Christ,  we  sing  thy  saving  Passion  ('Y\i.vov\iiv  a-ov  Xpurri)  165 

The  sepulcher  is  holding  (S'/jiicpov  <rvvix(i  tA4>os) 166 

Let  all  mortal  flesh  keep  silence  (Si-yTjo-ATw  irao-a  (rAp|).  167 

Christ,  Mercy's  holy  River  (ils  0€ios  iroTojids) 168 

Within  the  womb  of  Anna  CO  vios  ovpav6s) 169 

O  Saint,  permitted  here  to  see  ('O  fltarrjs  r&v  dpp^T»v)  .  171 

Mark,  shining  light  of  Egypt  (Al^virTou  ^a(rTr\p) 172 


Ipreface 

There  are  collections  of  the  sacred  poetry  of 
the  Western  Church,  but  very  few,  if  any,  of  the 
Eastern  Church.  When  Neale  published  in  1862 
his  "Hymns  of  the  Eastern  Church,"  he  stated  in 
the  preface  of  his  translations:  "These  are  liter- 
ally, I  believe,  the  only  English  versions  of  any 
part  of  the  treasures  of  Oriental  hymnology. 
There  is  scarcely  a  first  or  second-rate  hymn  of 
the  Roman  Breviary  which  has  not  been  trans- 
lated: of  many  we  have  six  or  eight  versions. 
The  eighteen  quarto  volumes  of  Greek  Church 
poetry  can  only  at  present  be  known  to  the  Eng- 
lish reader  by  my  little  book."  Since  that  time 
other  efforts  have  been  made  in  that  direction; 
and  in  presenting  this  volume  to  the  lover  of 
sacred  poetry  we  fill  a  gap  in  the  literature  of 
hymnology. 

The  present  collection  contains  such  hymns  as 
were  accessible  in  the  English  language  to  the 
compiler,  including  also  fragments  from  the  ear- 
liest Greek  Christian  poets  and  from  Ephraem  the 
Syrian;  and  in  this  respect  it  goes  beyond  the 
collection  of  Neale,  which  only  contains  speci- 
mens from  Byzantine  poets. 

7 


8  PREFACE 

The  sources  which  have  been  perused  for  the 
present  collection  are : 
Bonar:    Hyrans  of  the  Early  Church  (in  "Sunday 

at  Home,"  London,  1878). 
Browning:    Essays  on  the  Greek  Christian  Poets 

and  the  English  Poets.     New  York,  1864, 
Burgess:    Select  Metrical  Hymns  and  Homilies  of 

Ephraem  Syrus.     London,  1853. 
[Charles,  Mrs.]:     The  Voice  of  Christian  Life  in 

Song.     New  York,  1865. 
Chat  field:    Songs  and  Hymns  of  the  Earliest  Greek 

Christian  Poets.     London,  1876. 
Julian:    Dictionary  of  Hymnology.     New  York, 

1892. 
Neale:    Hymns  of  the  Eastern  Church.     London, 

1862. 
People's  (The)  Hymnal.     London,  1871. 
Schaff:    History  of  the  Christian  Church,  vols. 

ii-iv. 
Shipley:    Lyra  Eucharistica.     London,  1869. 
Shipley:    Lyra  Messianica.     London,  1869. 
Shipley:    Lyra  Mystica.     London,  1869. 

Greek  hymns  in  the  original  are  contained  in 
Bassler:    Auswahl  altchristlicher  Lieder   (1858), 

pp.  153-166. 
Christ  and   Paranikas:    Anthologia  Grasca  Car- 

minum  Christianorum.     Lipsias,  1871. 
Daniel:    Thesaurus     Hymnologicus,     iii     (1855), 

which    also    contains    (pp.    139-268)    Syriac 

hymns.     The  hymns  of  Ephraem  were  edited 


PREFACE  9 

by  Bickell  (Leipzig,  1866),  and  in  a  German 
translation  by  C.  Macke  (Mayence,  1882). 

Our  collection  contains  two  kinds  of  anony- 
mous hymns :  those  belonging  to  the  earlier  period 
are  given  at  the  beginning;  those  of  a  later  period, 
at  the  end.  Between  these  the  reader  will  find 
selections  from  eighteen  poets.  But  these  poets 
do  not  by  far  exhaust  the  list  of  hymn  writers  of 
sacred  poetry.     Mention  is  made  of — 

Eudocia,  the  empress,  wife  of  Theodosius  II, 
She  lived  in  the  fifth  century,  rendered  into  Greek 
hexameters  the  Pentateuch  and  the  Books  of 
Joshua  and  Judges ;  made  a  version  of  the  prophet 
Zechariah  and  of  the  Book  of  Daniel,  and  wrote 
a  poem  in  three  books  on  Saint  Cyprian  and  Saint 
Justina.  "She  wrote,"  says  Mrs.  Browning,  "only 
such  Christian  Greek  poems  as  Christians  and 
poets  might  rejoice  to  read,  but  which  perished 
with  her  beauty,  as  being  of  one  seed  with  it." 

Paulus  Silentiarius,  of  the  sixth  century,  the 
court  poet,  chiefly  esteemed  for  his  descriptive 
poem  on  the  Byzantine  Church  of  Saint  Sophia, 

John  Geometra,  of  the  seventh  century,  author 
of  certain  hymns  to  the  Virgin  Mary,  "as  accumu- 
lative of  epithets  and  admirations  as  ten  of  her 
litanies,  inclusive  of  a  pious  compliment,  which, 
however  geometrically  exact  in  its  proportions, 
sounds  strangely"  (Mrs.  Browning). 

Sergius,  patriarch  of  Constantinople  in  the 
reign  of  Heraclius  (610-641),  is  supposed  to  be  the 


lo  PREFACE 

author  of  a  famous  and  favorite  hymn  akathisios 
(that  is,  a  poem  chanted  while  priest, and  people 
were  standing),  in  praise  of  Mary  as  the  deliverer 
of  Constantinople  from  the  siege  of  the  Persians 
(630).  Considered  as  a  poem — the  original  is 
given  by  Christ  (p.  140,  seq.) — ^the  chief  part  of  it 
is  full  of  splendor;  "but  the  worship  of  the  Virgin, 
which  is  its  raison  d'itre,  scarcely  admits  of  its 
adaptation  even  partially  in  England." 

George  Pisida,  author  of  "Hexaemeron," 
which  is  "rather  a  meditation  or  rhythmical 
speech  upon  the  finished  creation  than  a  retro- 
spection of  the  six  days;  and  also  there  is  more 
of  Plato  in  it  than  of  Moses."  He  also  wrote  on 
the  "Vanity  of  Life,"  which  has  much  beauty  and 
force,  and  from  which  Mrs.  Browning  quotes  the 
following  lines : 

"Some  yearn  to  rule  the  state,  to  sit  above. 
And  touch  the  cares  of  hate  as  near  as  love; 
Some  their  own  reason  for  tribunal  take, 
And  for  all  thrones  the  humblest  prayers  they  make; 
Some  love  the  orator's  vainglorious   art, — 
The  wise  love  silence  and  the  hush  of  heart, — 
Some  to  ambition's  spirit-curse  are  fain. 
That  golden  apple  with  a  bloody  stain; 
While  some  do  battle  in  her  face  (more  rife 
Of  noble  ends)  and  conquer  strife  with  strife: 
And  while  your  groaning  tables  gladden  these. 
Satiety's  quick  chariot  to  disease, 
Hunger  the  wise  man  helps,  to  water,  bread. 
And  light  wings  to  the  dreams  about  his  head. 


PREFACE  II 

The  truth  becomes  presently  obvious,  that — 
The  sage  o'er  all  the  world  his  scepter  waves, 
And  earth  is  common  ground  to  thrones  and  graves." 

Sophronius,  patriarch  of  Jerusalem  (629),  cele- 
brated in  Anacreontic  meters  the  praises  of  Jesus, 
the  apostles  and  martyrs.  Some  of  his  pieces 
stand  first  in  the  second  part  of  Christ's  work, 
which  treats  of  the  Byzantine  poems  (pp.  43-46, 
96-97). 

Maximus  the  Confessor  (580-662),  author  of 
some  hymns,  three  of  which  are  given  by  Daniel 
(iii,  pp.  97-103).     Christ  omits  Maximus. 

Germanus  (634-734),  patriarch  of  Constanti- 
nople. He  was  one  of  the  grandest  among  the 
defenders  of  the  icons.  He  was  present  at  the 
Synod  of  Constantinople  in  712,  which  restored 
the  Monothelite  heresy ;  but  in  after  years  he  con- 
demned it.  He  was  made  patriarch  of  Constanti- 
nople in  715.  In  730  he  was  driven  from  the  see, 
not  without  blows,  for  refusing  to  yield  to  the 
iconoclastic  emperor  Leo  the  Isaurian.  He  died 
shortly  afterward,  at  the  age  of  one  hundred 
years.  His  hymns  are  few.  He  wrote  stanzas 
on  Simeon  the  Stylite,  on  the  prophet  Elijah,  on 
the  decollation  of  John  the  Baptist,  and  a  canon 
on  the  wonder-working  image  in  Edessa.  A  few 
pieces  of  Germanus  are  given  in  Daniel,  iii,  p.  79 ; 
Christ,  p.  98. 

Andrew  Pyros  wrote  the  praise  of  Peter  and 
Paul  (see  Christ,  p.  83). 


12  PREFACE 

In  addition  to  these  we  mention  Elias  of  Jeru- 
salem (about  761);  Tarasus,  patriarch  of  Con- 
stantinople (died  806) ;  Euthymms,  known  as 
Syncellus  (died  about  910),  author  of  a  peniten- 
tial canon  on  the  Virgin  Mary;  Leo  VI,  or  "the 
Philosopher"  (886-917),  author  of  detached  stan- 
zas on  the  Resurrection,  which  "are  better  than 
might  have  been  expected  from  an  imperial 
author,  and  the  troubler  of  the  Eastern  Church  by 
a  fourth  marriage"  (Neale);  Orestes,  bishop  of 
Jerusalem  (996-1012);  Kasias;  Nilus  Xanthopulus; 
John  Mauropus,  metropolitan  of  Euchaita  (died 
1060) ;  Theodore  Prodromus,  the  reputed  author  of 
"Christus  Patiens,"  usually  attributed  to  Gregory 
of  Nazianzen;  John  Tzetza,  to  whom  Doering  in 
his  "De  tragoedia  Christiana,  quse  inscribitur 
XpiarSg  na<T%wv"  (Barmen,  1864),  ascribes  the  au- 
thorship of  that  tragedy;  Manuel  Phile,  of  the 
fourteenth  century. 

With  Mauropus,  who  belongs  to  the  period  of 
the  decline  and  decay  of  Greek  Church  poetry, 
Greek  hymnody  well-nigh  ceased. 

Newark,  N.  J.  B.  P. 


1bpmn0  an^  poetry  of  tbe  jea0tern 
Cburcb 

From  the  synagogue  the  Church  received  her 
hymn  book,  the  Psalter,  and  how  deeply  rooted  it 
was  in  the  consciousness  of  the  Christians  we 
learn,  for  example,  from  Theodoret  in  the  fifth 
century,  who  says:  "Of  the  other  Scriptures,  the 
generality  of  men  know  next  to  nothing;  but  the 
Psalms  you  will  find  again  and  again  repeated  in 
private  houses,  in  market  places,  in  the  streets, 
by  those  who  have  learned  by  heart,  and  who 
soothe  themselves  by  their  divine  melody."  And 
Saint  Ambrose  remarks:  "When  other  parts  of 
Scripture  are  used,  there  is  such  a  noise  of  talking 
in  the  church  that  you  cannot  hear  what  is  said; 
but  when  the  Psalter  is  read,  all  are  silent." 
There  can  be  no  doubt  that  at  an  early  period 
other  songs  were  added  to  the  Psalter.  Saint 
Paul  speaks  of  "hymns  and  spiritual  songs"  in 
addition  to  "psalms,"  and  the  heathen  governor 
of  Asia  Minor,  the  younger  Pliny,  writes  to  the 
Emperor  Trajan  in  the  year  107  that  the  perse- 
cuted Christians  in  that  country  were  in  the  habit 
of  meeting  at  daybreak  and  singing  hymns  to  the 
praise  of  Christ  as  their  God  {carmen  Christo  quasi 
Deo  dicere  invicem    secum).     A   disposition   has 

13 


14  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

shown  itself  to  find  in  rhythmical  quotations 
which  are  not  demonstrably  taken  from  the  Old 
Testament  traces  of  primitive  Christian  songs; 
thus,  for  example,  Eph.  5.  14: 

"Eyeipe,  6  Kadevdo>v, 

Kai  dvdara  Ik  tcjv  ve/cpoiv, 

Kai  kmcpavaei  aoc  b  Xptarog. 

But  whatever  these  hymns  and  songs  may  have 
been,  certain  it  is  that  the  Greek  Church  long 
adhered  almost  exclusively  to  the  Psalms  of  David, 
and  it  had,  in  opposition  to  heretical  predilections, 
even  a  decided  aversion  to  the  public  use  of  tmin- 
spired  songs.  The  fifty-ninth  canon  of  the  Coun- 
cil of  Laodicea,  about  A.  D.  360,  prohibited  the 
use  of  "private  hymns,"  or,  ISiuriKoi  '^a?ifioi,  and 
the  Council  of  Chalcedon  in  451  continued  this 
decree.  On  this  account  the  Greek  Church  of  the 
first  six  centuries  produced  nothing  in  the  field  of 
sacred  poetry  which  has  had  permanent  value  or 
general  use.  If  such  hymns  ever  existed,  the 
earliest  are  unfortunately  lost.  What  is  left  are 
a  few  anonymous  hymns  (vjuvot  d6ea'noToi),  which 
are  probably  very  old,  because  mentioned  in  the 
"Apostolic  Constitutions."  But  whatever  their 
antiquity,  these  anonymous  hymns  "  bear  witness 
to  a  living  communion  of  some  human  hearts  with 
God,  and  are  as  such  most  precious,  whether  we 
regard  them  as  carrying  up  the  links  of  our  faith 
to  the  first  century,  or  as  bringing  down  the  faith 
and  worship  of  the  apostolic  age  to  the  fourth 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  15 

century"  (Mrs.  Charles,  in  "The  Voice  of  Christian 
Life  in  Song,"  p.  23). 

JBavls  anonijmous  SHi^mns 
I 

Morning  Hymn 

This  (vfivog  tij^cvog)  is  foiind  at  the  end  of 
the  Alexandrian  Codex  of  the  Bible,  and  in  the 
Zurich  Psalter,  reprinted  by  Tischendorf  in  his 
"Monumenta  Sacra  inedita,"  1869.  It  is  also 
foiind  at  the  end  of  vol.  iii  of  Swete,  "The  Old 
Testament  in  Greek"  (Cambridge,  1894). 

This  hymn,  commencing,  Ao^o  kv  v^jjiaroig  ■&£u)^ 
an  expansion  of  the  doxology  of  the  heavenly 
hosts,  is  mentioned  in  the  "Apostolic  Constitu- 
tions" (lib.  vii,  c.  47).     Bonar  renders  it  thus: 
Glory  in  the  highest  of  God, 
And  on  earth  peace. 
Among  men  well-pleasedness ! 

We  praise  thee, 

We  bless  thee. 

We  worship  thee. 

We  glorify  thee. 

We  thank  thee. 

Because  of  thy  almighty  glory, 

O  Lord,  heavenly  King, 

O  God,  Father  Almighty, 

O  Lord,  only  begotten  Son, 

Jesus  Christ, 

And  Holy  Spirit ! 

O  Lord  God, 


i6  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

O  Lamb  of  God, 

0  Son  of  the  Father, 

Who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world. 

Pity  us ! 

Who  takest  away  the  sins  of  the  world, 

Receive  this  prayer  of  ours ! 

Who  sittest  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Father, 

Pity  us ! 

For  thou  only  art  holy, 

Thou  only  art  Lord, 

Jesus  Christ, 

To  the  glory  of  the  Father !    Amen. 

Each  day  I  will  bless  thee. 

And  I  will  praise  thy  name  forever ; 

Yea,  forever  and  forever ! 
Vouchsafe,  O  Lord,  even  this  day, 
That  we  may  be  kept  sinless. 

Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord  God  of  our  fathers ; 

Yea,  blessed  and  glorified 

Be  thy  name  forever.    Amen ! 

Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord, 

Teach  me  thy  judgments ! 

Blessed  art  thou,  O  Lord, 

Teach  me  thy  judgments ! 

O  Lord,  thou  hast  been  a  refuge  to  us 
From  generation  to  generation ! 

1  have  spoken,  O  Lord,  pity  me ! 

Heal  my  soul,  for  I  have  sinned  against  thee. 
O  Lord,  in  thee  have  I  taken  refuge. 
Teach  me  to  do  thy  will, 
O  thou — for  thou  art  my  God, 

For  with  thee  is  the  fountain  of  life, 

In  thy  light  shall  we  see  light. 

Extend  thou  thy  mercy 

To  those  that  know  thee ! 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  17 

II 

Evening  Hymn 

In  the  "Apostolic  Constitutions"  (lib.  vii,  c.  48) 
an  evening  hymn  is  mentioned,  which  commences, 
Alvelre,  iraldeg,  and  is  rendered  by  Chatfield  as 
follows : 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  ye  his  servants, 

Praise  the  name  of  the  Lord; 

We  praise  thee,  we  hymn  thee,  we  bless  thee 

For  thy  great  glory. 
O  Lord  the  King,  the  Father  of  Christ,  the  Lamb  without 
blemish. 

Who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world. 
To  thee  belongeth  praise,  to  thee  belongeth  the  hymn,  to 
thee  belongeth  glory. 

The  Father,  and  the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit, 

Throughout  all  ages.    Amen. 
Now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart,  O  Lord, 

According  to  thy  word,  in  peace: 
For  mine  eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation. 
Which  thou  hast  prepared  before  the  face  of  all  people, 
A  light  to  lighten  the  Gentiles,  and  (to  be)  the  glory  of 
thy  people  Israel. 

Ill 
A  Hymn  at  Lamplight 

Concerning  this  evening  hymn,  the  v/ttvof  karrepi- 
v6^,  or  vfivog  Tov  XvxviKov,  commencing,  $wf  iXapdv, 
Bonar  states  that  Saint  Basil  thus  writes  in  his 
work  on  the  Holy  Spirit  to  Amphilochius  (c.  29) : 
"It  seemed  good  to  our  fathers  to  receive  the 


i8  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

light  of  evening  not  in  silence,  but  with  thanks- 
giving, as  soon  as  it  appeared.  But  who  was  the 
father  (author)  of  these  words  of  thanksgiving 
at  the  lighting  of  the  lamps,  we  cannot  say." 
The  following  is  a  free  translation  by  Schaff 
("History  of  the  Christian  Church,"  ii,  p.  227) : 

Hail !   cheerful  Light,  of  his  pure  glory  poured, 
Who  is  th'  Immortal  Father,  Heavenly,  Blest, 

Holiest  of  Holies — ^Jesus  Christ  our  Lord ! 
Now  are  we  come  to  the  Sun's  hour  of  rest. 

The  lights  of  evening  round  us  shine. 

We  sing  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  divine ! 

Worthiest  art  thou  at  all  times  to  be  sung 

With  undefiled  tongue. 

Son  of  our  God,  Giver  of  life  alone  ! 

Therefore,  in  all  the  world,  thy  glories.  Lord,  we  own. 


IV 

A  Prayer  at  Dinner  Table 

This  is  also  found  in  the  "Apostolic  Constitu- 
tions" (lib.  vii,  c.  49),  and  commences,  BvXoyTjrdg  el. 
We  give  Chatfield's  rendering: 

Thou  art  blessed,  O  Lord,  who  nourishest  me  from  my 
youth. 

Who  givest  food  to  all  flesh. 
Fill  our  hearts  with  joy  and  gladness, 
That  at  all  times,  having  all  sufficiency. 

We  may  abound  to  every  good  work 

In  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord : 
With  whom  to  thee  (be)  glory,  honor,  and  might, 

Forever  and  ever.    Amen. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  19 

These  were  probably  not  the  only  hymns  which 
were  known  at  a  very  early  period,  for,  as  Schaff 
observes,  an  author  toward  the  close  of  the 
second  century  could  appeal  against  the  Arte- 
monites  to  a  multitude  of  hymns  in  proof  of  the 
faith  of  the  Church  in  the  divinity  of  Christ: 
"How  many  psalms  and  odes  of  the  Christians 
are  there  not,  which  have  been  written  from  the 
beginning  by  believers,  and  which,  in  their  the- 
ology, praise  Christ  as  the  Logos  of  God?" 

V 

The  Psalm  of  the  Naassenes 

Nojuof  ^v  yeviKog 
This  psalm,  preserved  by  Origen  ("Philoso- 
phumena,"  lib.  v,  c.  i),  occupies  the  third  place 
in  the  "Anthologia  Gr£eca  Carminum  Christian- 
orum,"  ed.  Christ  and  Paranikas.  The  transla- 
tion which  we  subjoin  is  by  J.  H.  Macmahon  in 
the  "Ante-Nicene  Library": 

The  world's  producing  law  was  Primal  Mind ; 
The  next  was  Firstborn's  outpoured  Chaos ; 
And  third,  the  soul  received  its  law  of  toil 
Enriched  therefore,  with  an  aqueous  form, 
With  care  o'erpowered  it  succumbs  to  death; 
Nay,  holding  away,  it  eyes  the  light. 
And  now  it  weeps  on  misery  flung ; 
Now  it  mourns,  now  it  thrills  with  joy ; 
Now  it  waits,  now  it  hears  its  doom ; 
Now  it  hears  its  doom,  now  it  dies, 
And  now, it  leaves  us,  never  to  return. 


HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

It,  hapless  straying,  threads  the  maze  of  ills. 
But  Jesus  said,  "Father,  behold, 
A  strife  of  ills  across  the  earth 
Wanders  from  thy  breath  (of  wrath), 
But  bitter  Chaos  (man)  seeks  to  shun, 
And  knows  not  how  to  pass  it  through. 
On  this  account,  O  Father,  send  me ; 
Bearing  seals,  I  shall  descend; 
Through  ages  whole  I'll  sweep. 
And  mysteries  I'll  unravel. 
And  forms  of  God  I'll  show ; 
And  secrets  of  the  saintly  path. 
Styled  'Gnosis,'  I'll  impart." 


The  oldest  Christian  poem  preserved  to  us,  the 
authorship  of  which  can  be  authoritatively  traced, 
is  from  the  pen  of  the  profound  Christian  philos- 
opher 

Clement  ot  Hlexan&ria 

(Died  about  A.  D.  217) 
This  poem,  which  is  found  at  the  close  of  Clem- 
ent's "Psedagogue,"  is  a  sublime  but  somewhat 
turgid  song  of  praise  to  the  Logos,  as  the  divine 
educator  and  leader  of  the  "human  race."  The 
title  of  the  hymn  is  "T/itvof  tov  acoriipog  Xpiorov, 
that  is,  "Hymn  of  the  Saviour  Christ,"  and  it 
addresses  Christ  as  the  leader  of  the  youth,  that 
he  himself  may  gather  them  to  praise  him  (verses 
1-8);  then  as  the  Shepherd  and  King  of  the 
saints,  that  he  may  guide  his  sheep  and  rule  over 
them  (verses  9-22);  and,  finally,  as  the  Eternal 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  ai 

Word,  whose  footsteps  lead  to  heaven  (verses  23- 
53).  It  was  not  intended  for  pubHc  worship,  nor 
is  it  adapted  for  it — being  written  in  dimeter 
anapestics;  but  it  is  remarkable  for  its  spirit  and 
antiquity. 

We  subjoin  from  Schaff  ("History  of  the 
Christian  Church,"  ii,  p.  230)  the  following  literal 
translation    of  this   poem,   commencing,   Irofiiov 

Bridle  of  untamed  colts, 
Wing  of  unwandering  bii'ds. 
Sure  Helm  of  babes. 
Shepherd  of  royal  Iambs ! 
Assemble  thy  simple  children. 
To  praise  holily. 
To  hymn  guilelessly 
With  innocent  mouths 
Christ,  the  guide  of  children. 

O  King  of  saints. 

All-subduing  Word 

Of  the  most  high  Father, 

Prince  of  wisdom. 

Support  of  sorrows. 

That  rejoicest  in  the  ages, 

Jesus,  Saviour 

Of  the  human  race. 

Shepherd,  husbandman. 

Helm,  Bridle, 

Heavenly  wing 

Of  the  all  holy  flock, 

Fisher  of  men 

Who  are  saved, 


23  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Catching  the  chaste  fishes 
With  sweet  life 
From  the  hateful  wave 
Of  a  sea  of  vices. 

Guide  [us],  Shepherd 

Of  rational  sheep; 

Guide  harmless  children, 

O  holy  King. 

O  footsteps  of  Christ, 

O  heavenly  way. 

Perennial  Word, 

Endless  age. 

Eternal  Light, 

Fount  of  mercy. 

Performer  of  virtue. 

Noble  [is  the]  life  of  those 

Who  praise  God, 

O  Christ  Jesus, 

Heavenly  milk 

Of  the  sweet  breasts 

Of  the  graces  of  the  Bride, 

Pressed  out  of  thy  wisdom. 

Babes,  nourished 

With  tender  mouths. 

Filled  with  the  dewy  spirit 

Of  the  spiritual  breast. 

Let  us  sing  together 

Simple  praises, 

True  hymns 

To  Christ  [the]  King, 

Holy  reward 

For  the  doctrine  of  life. 

Let  us  sing  together. 

Sing  in  simplicity 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  23 

To  the  mighty  Child, 
O  choir  of  peace, 
The  Christ  begotten, 
O  chaste  people 
Let  us  praise  together 
The  God  of  peace. 

"This  poem,"  says  Schaff  (1.  c),  "was  for  six- 
teen centuries  merely  a  hymnological  curiosity, 
until  an  American  Congregational  minister,  Dr. 
Henry  Dexter,  of  Boston,  by  a  happy  reproduc- 
tion, in  1846,  secured  it  a  place  in  modern  h3nTin 
books.  While  preparing  a  sermon  (as  he  informs 
me)  on  'some  prominent  characteristics  of  the 
early  Christians'  (text,  Deut.  32.  7,  'Remember 
the  days  of  old'),  he  first  wrote  down  an  exact 
translation  of  the  Greek  hymn  of  Clement,  and 
then  reproduced  and  modernized  it  for  the  use  of 
his  congregation  in  connection  with  the  sermon. 
It  is  well  known  that  many  psalms  of  Israel  have 
inspired  some  of  the  noblest  Christian  hymns. 
The  forty-sixth  psalm  gave  the  keynote  of 
Luther's  triumphant  war-hymn  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, 'Ein'  feste  Burg.*  John  Mason  Neale  dug 
from  the  dust  of  ages  many  a  Greek  and  Latin 
hymn,  to  the  edification  of  English  churches, 
notably  some  portions  of  Bernard  of  Cluny's  'De 
Contemptu  Mundi,'  which  runs  through  nearly 
three  thousand  dactylic  hexameters,  and  fur- 
nished the  material  for   'Brief  life  is  here  our 


24  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

portion,'  'For  thee,  O  dear,  dear  country,'  and 
'Jerusalem  the  golden.' 

"We  add  Dexter 's  hymn  as  a  fair  specimen  of  a 
useful  transfusion   and  rejuvenation   of  an  old 

poem  : 

"Shepherd  of  tender  youth. 
Guiding  in  love  and  truth 
Through  devious  ways; 
Christ,  our  triumphant  King, 
We  come  thy  name  to  sing; 
Hither  our  children  bring 
To  shout  thy  praise ! 

"Thou  art  our  holy  Lord, 
The  all-subduing  Word, 

Healer  of  strife; 
Thou  did'st  thyself  abase, 
That  from  sin's  deep  disgrace 
Thou  mightest  save  our  race. 

And  give  us  life. 

"Thou  art  the  great  High  Priest; 
Thou  hast  prepared  the  feast 

Of  heavenly  love ; 
While  in  our  mortal  pain 
None  calls  on  thee  in  vain; 
Help  thou  dost  not  disdain — 
Help  from  above. 

"Ever  be  thou  our  Guide, 
Our  Shepherd  and  our  Pride, 

Our  Staff  and  Song! 
Jesus,  thou  Christ  of  God, 
By  thy  perennial  Word 
Lead  us  where  thou  hast  trod, 

Make  our  faith  strong. 


THE    EASTERN    CHURCH  25 

"So  now,  and  till  we  die, 
Sound  we  thy  praises  high, 

And  joyful  sing; 
Infants,  and  the  glad  throng 
Who  to  thy  Church  belong. 
Unite  to  swell  the  song 

To  Christ  our  King !" 


(Died  about  A.  D.  312) 

Methodius,  the  martyr,  who  is  also  called  Eu- 
bulius,  the  antagonist  of  Origen,  is  the  author 
of  "Symposium  (or  Banquet)  of  Ten  Virgins" 
(liVfinoaiov  roiv  6eKa  Trapdevojv),  an  eloquent  but 
verbose  and  extravagant  eulogy  on  the  blessings 
and  advantages  of  voluntary  virginity,  which  he 
describes  as  "something  supernaturally  great, 
wonderful,  and  glorious,"  and  as  "the  best  and 
noblest  manner  of  life." 

"The  conception  of  the  Symposium,"  says 
Schaff,  "and  the  dialogue  are  borrowed  from 
Plato,  who  celebrated  the  praises  of  Eros,  as 
Methodius  the  praises  of  virginity.  Methodius 
begins  with  a  brief  dialogue  between  Eubulios  or 
Eubulion  (that  is,  himself)  and  the  virgin  Grego- 
rion,  who  was  present  at  a  banquet  of  the  ten 
virgins  in  the  gardens  of  Arete  (that  is,  personified 
virtue)  and  reports  to  him  ten  discourses  which 
these  virgins  successively  delivered  in  praise  of 
chastity.     At  the  end  of  the  banquet  the  victo- 


26  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

rious  Thecla,  chief  of  the  virgins  (Saint  Paul's 
apocryphal  companion),  standing  on  the  right 
hand  of  Arete,  begins  to  sing  a  hymn  of  chastity 
to  which  the  virgins  respond  with  the  oft-repeated 
refrain : 

"  *I  keep  myself  pure  for  thee,  O  Bridegroom, 
And  holding  a  lighted  torch  I  go  to  meet  thee.' 

"Then  follows  a  concluding  dialogue  between 
Eubulios  and  Gregorion  on  the  question  whether 
chastity  ignorant  of  lust  is  preferable  to  chastity 
which  feels  the  power  of  passion  and  overcomes 
it ;  in  other  words,  whether  a  wrestler  who  has  no 
opponents  is  better  than  a  wrestler  who  has  many 
and  strong  antagonists  and  continually  contends 
against  them  without  being  worsted.  Both  agree 
in  giving  the  palm  to  the  latter,  and  then  they 
betake  themselves  to  'the  care  of  the  outward 
man,'  expecting  to  resume  the  delicate  discussion 
on  the  next  day. 

"The  taste  and  morality  of  virgins  discussing  at 
great  length  the  merits  of  sexual  purity  are  very 
questionable,  at  least  from  the  standpoint  of 
modem  civilization;  but  the  enthusiastic  praise 
of  chastity  to  the  extent  of  total  abstinence  was 
in  full  accord  with  the  prevailing  asceticism  of  the 
fathers,  including  Origen,  who  freed  himself  from 
carnal  temptation  by  an  act  of  violence  against 
nature." 

The  "Parthenion"  of  Methodius,  which  com- 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  27 

mences,  "Avwi^ev,  Trag-devoi,  is,  like  Psalm  119,  acros- 
tic; the  initial  letters  of  the  strophes  are  the 
letters  of  the  alphabet  in  their  order.  Each 
strophe  is  followed  by  the  same  refrain  (vnaKorj) . 
The  hymn  has  been  translated  into  English  for 
the  "Ante-Nicene  Library,"  vol.  xiv;  we  subjoin, 
however,  Chatfield's  translation,  adding  to  each 
strophe  the  letter  of  the  Greek  alphabet : 

A      The  Bridegroom  cometh  !    overhead 
The  shout  descending  wakes  the  dead ! 
Go  forth  to  meet  the  King, 
The  gates  just  entering! 
Virgins,  white-robed,  with  lamps  haste  eastward  forth  to 
meet  him. 
Haste  ye,  O  haste  to  greet  him ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  and  lamps  bright  burning, 
I  go  to  meet  my  Lord  returning. 

B      Earth's  mournful  bliss  I  left,  and  toys 

Of  wanton  life,  and  foolish  joys: 

To  thee  alone  I  cling; 

Thou  art  my  Life,  and  King : 
Grant  that  I  may,  O  Blessed,  ever  close  to  thee, 
Thy  royal  beauty  see  ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

r      Thou  art  my  wealth :  for  thee  I  fled 

All  worldly  lure,  and  upward  sped; 

And  come  in  spotless  dress 

Of  thine  own  righteousness. 
With  thee  to  enter  in  the  bridal  chamber  gates 
Where  perfect  bliss  awaits. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 


28  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

A       Saved  from  the  dragon's  myriad  wiles. 

By  which  the  simple  he  beguiles, 

I  bore  the  dreadful  fire, 

And  wild  beast's  savage  ire. 
Waiting  till  thou  from  heaven,  O  Hope  of  all  creation, 
Shouldst  come  to  my  salvation ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

E      My  home  and  country  for  thy  sake. 

And  maiden  dance,  I  did  forsake. 

And  mother's  pride  and  race, 

And  thoughts  of  rank  and  place : 
For  thou,  O  Christ  the  Word,  art  all  in  all  to  me; 
I  long  for  naught  save  thee ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

Z      Hail !   Christ  the  Life,  unchanging  Day, 

Accept  this  humble  virgin  lay: 

To  thee  our  song  of  praise 

With  heart  and  voice  we  raise ! 
In  thee,  O  thou  perfection's  flower,  O  Word  Divine, 
Love,  joy,  mind,  wisdom,  shine. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

H      O  Bride,  triumphant  now  in  light. 

And  clad  in  robes  of  purest  white. 

Sweet-breathing,  sinless,  free. 

Ope  wide  the  gates  to  me : 
Sit  we  in  selfsame  company  near  Christ  above 
And  sing  thy  marriage.  Love ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

9      Ah  me !    some  virgins  vainly  pour 
Their  sobs  and  cries  outside  the  door; 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  29 

Their  lamps  are  quenched,  and  they 
No  burning  light  display; 
Their  error  they  would  mend;    but,  ah!    they  come  too 
late. 
And  closed  is  the  gate. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

I       For  they  a  foolish  part  had  played. 
And  from  the  sacred  pathway  strayed; 
Oil,  they  had  purchased  none; 
Ah  !    wretched  and  undone  ! 

Forbidden  with  dead  lamps  the  home  of  bliss  to  see, 
They  wail  their  misery. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

K     Lo  !  goblet  filled  with  sweetest  wine : 

Drink  we,  O  virgins,  'tis  divine; 

And  forth-set  for  our  need: 

Lo!    this  is  drink  indeed; 
This  for  the  guests,  who  to  the  marriage  bidden  are. 
The  Bridegroom  doth  prepare. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

A      First  type,  O  Blessed  One,  of  thee, 

In  Abel  shining  bright  we  see : 

To  heaven  he  lifts  his  eyes, 

Blood-dripping,  and  thus  cries: 
"Me,  by  my  cruel  brother  slain,  receive,  O  Lord, 
O  thou  the  Eternal  Word." 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 
M 


Joseph,  another  type  of  thee. 
Won  highest  prize  of  purity ; 


30  HYMNS   AND    POETRY   OF 

Whom  thou  wouldst  own  thy  child: 
He  scorned  to  be  beguiled 
By  shameless  woman;    stripped,  he  yet  her  wrath  defied, 
And  straight  to  thee  he  cried: 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

N      A  lamb  for  sacrifice  is  sought: 

A  lamblike  victim  Jephthah  brought: 

For  rash-made  vow  he  cared, 

Nor  virgin  daughter  spared: 
A  type,  O  Blessed  One,  of  thy  humanity. 
She  poured  her  soul  to  thee: 

Refrain :  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

S      In  valor  Judith  holds  high  post : 

The  leader  of  the  oppressing  host 

She  smote  by  beauty's  lure. 

Herself  a  type  all  pure: 
He  headless  lay;  and  unto  thee  the  conquering  maid 
Her  love  in  song  displayed: 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

O      The  judges  twain,  by  passion's  flame 

Enkindled,  and  all  dead  to  shame. 

Would  chaste  Susannah  bind 

To  their  unhallowed  mind : 
To  their  proposals  base  she  gave  a  just  reply: 
And  raised  her  voice  on  high : 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

n     'Twere  better  far  that  I  should  die, 
Than  traitress  be  to  marriage  tie. 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  31 

And  yielding  to  your  will 
Both  soul  and  body  kill : 
Base  men !   God's  fire  of  wrath  eternal  would  me  seize : 
Save  me,  O  Christ,  from  these ! 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

P      And  he  who  thousands  washed  from  sin. 

Of  thy  true  light  the  bringer-in. 

For  virtue's  cause  alone 

Is  into  prison  thrown 
By  wicked  king;  and  staining  now  the  ground  with  gore 
He  cried  to  thee  the  more : 

Refrain :  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

2      And  thy  blest  Mother,  spotless  maid. 
Was  thought  her  vows  to  have  betrayed. 
When  travailing  with  thee, 
O  Lord  of  purity: 

And  found  with  child  of  transcendental  heavenly  birth. 
She  raised  her  voice  from  earth : 

Refrain :  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

T      Thy  saints,  all  eager  that  they  may 

Behold  the  glories  of  the  day 

Of  thine  espousals  high. 

With  holy  gifts  draw  nigh. 
For  thou,  O  Lord,  hast  called  them,  thou  the  angels'  King : 
White-robed  to  thee  they  sing. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

T      O  holy  Church,  O  heavenly  Bride, 
With  hymns,  attending  at  thy  side. 


32  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

We  yet  on  earth  below 
Thine  honor  thus  forth-show: 
All  snow-white  thou,  all-beauteous  spouse  of  Christ  above, 
All  purity,  all  love. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

4>      Past  are  corruption,  sickness,  pain ; 

Nor  tears  shall  ever  flow  again : 

For  troubles  all  have  fled, 

And  Death  himself  is  dead; 
And  sin  and  folly  with  dark  dismal  train  are  gone, 
Since  grace  in  glory  shone. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

X      No  longer  Paradise  of  men 

Is  void;   for  there  God  wills  again 

That  man  should  safely  dwell ; 

Yea,  man  the  same  who  fell 
Beneath  the  serpent's  wiles :   now  in  the  promised  rest, 
Immortal,  fearless,  blest. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

i'      Thou  now  to  heavenly  places  raised. 

By  all  the  virgin  choir  art  praised, 

O  Bride  of  heavenly  King: 

And  song  all  new  we  sing. 
With  lighted  torch  in  hand,  with  snow-white  lilies  crowned, 
Thy  praise  in  Christ  we  sound. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  etc. 

fi      Father  of  heaven,  supreme  in  might. 
Dwelling  in  pure  eternal  light 
With  thine  own  Son  most  dear. 
Admit — for  we  are  here — 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  33 

E'en  us  within  the  gates  of  life,  to  sing  thy  love 
In  thy  blest  courts  above. 

Refrain:  With  holy  feet,  and  lamps  bright  burning, 
I  go  to  meet  my  Lord  returning. 


Oreaori?  of  IFlastansen 

(About  A.  D.  330-391) 

Gregory  of  Nazianzen  was  born  about  330, 
either  at  Nazianzen,  a  small  village  in  Cappa- 
docia,  where  his  father  was  bishop,  or  in  the  neigh- 
boring village  of  Arianzus.  He  received  an  ex- 
cellent education,  which  he  improved  at  Athens, 
where  he  formed  an  acquaintance  and  friendship 
with  Basil.  On  his  return  home  he  was  ordained ; 
hesitated  long  between  the  contemplative  and  the 
active  life;  adhered  to  the  Nicene  doctrine,  and 
endeavored  to  keep  together  its  persecuted  ad- 
herents; assisted  his  father  in  his  pastoral  duties, 
and  at  length  became  minister  of  a  small  congre- 
gation of  the  Nicene  Christians  at  Constantinople. 
Distinguishing  himself  greatly  by  his  fervent  elo- 
quence, and  no  less  by  his  wisdom  and  moderation, 
he  was  made  bishop  of  Constantinople  by  Theo- 
dosius  in  381.  After  filling  this  high  and  difficult 
post  for  one  year  he  resigned  it  and  returned  to 
his  native  place,  where  he  died  in  391. 

"  Influenced,  perhaps,  by  the  example  of  the 
Syrian  poems  of  Ephraem,  and  aiming,  as  he  him- 
self tells  us,  both  at  consolation  for  himself  in  his 
3 


34  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

trials,  and  also  to  entice  those  who  cared  for 
poetical  form,  and  not  to  leave  the  graces  of 
style  in  the  possession  of  paganism,  he  uses  poetry 
for  almost  every  possible  purpose."  "As  a  poet," 
says  Schaff,  "he  holds  a  subordinate  though  re- 
spectable place.  He  wrote  poetry  only  in  his 
later  life,  and  wrote  it  not  from  native  impulse,  as 
the  bird  sings  among  the  branches,  but  in  the 
strain  of  moral  reflection  upon  his  own  life,  or 
upon  doctrinal  and  moral  themes.  Many  of  his 
orations  are  poetical;  many  of  his  poems  are  pro- 
saic. Not  one  of  his  odes  or  hymns  passed  into 
use  in  the  Church"  (1.  c,  iii,  p.  921). 

In  subjoining  the  following  specimens  we  follow 
the  order  as  given  by  Christ  and  Paranikas. 

I 

Hymn  to  Christ 

The  translation  of  this  hymn,  commencing, 
li  Tov  d(pdcTov,  we  quote  from  "The  Voice  of 
Christian  Life  in  Song,"  p.  62: 

Hear  us  now,  Eternal  Monarch, 

Grant  us  now  to  hymn  and  praise  thee — 

Thee  the  King,  and  thee  the  Master  ! 

By  whom  are  our  hymns  and  praises. 

By  whom  are  the  choirs  of  angels. 

By  whom  flow  the  ceaseless  ages. 

By  whom  only  shines  the  sun. 

By  whom  walks  the  moon  in  brightness. 

By  whom  smile  the  stars  in  beauty, 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  35 

By  whom  all  the  race  of  mortals 
Have  received  their  godlike  reason. 
And  thine  other  works  outshone. 
Thou  the  universe  createdst, 
Hast  to  each  his  place  decreed. 
Constituting  all  in  wisdom ; 
And  thy  word,  Lord,  was  a  deed. 
For  thy  word,  Son  of  the  Highest, 
In  essential  might  and  glory, 
Equals  that  of  God  the  Father, 
Who  creates  and  reigns  o'er  all ; 
Whilst  the  Spirit  all  embraceth. 
All  preserving,  all  providing: 
Triune  God,  on  thee  we  call. 

Thou,  the  one  and  only  Monarch, 
In  thy  nature  changeless,  endless, 
Of  unutterable  glory. 
Inaccessible  in  wisdom, 
Never-wearied  strength  of  heaven. 
Infinite,  without  beginning. 
High  in  unapproached  light; 
All  with  sleepless  eye  observing, 
Not  a  depth  thy  glance  escapeth. 
From  the  earth  to  the  abysses. 
Deepest  deep  or  highest  height : 
Wheresoe'er  my  lot  may  be. 
Grant  me  thus  to  worship  thee. 
Cleanse  me,  Lord,  from  my  transgression. 
Purge  me  from  an  evil  conscience. 
That  thy  godhead  I  may  honor; 
Holy  hands  in  praise  uplifting, 
Blessing  Christ  on  bended  knee. 
Own  me,  then,  at  last  thy  servant. 
When  thou  com'st  in  majesty. 


36  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Be  to  me  a  pitying  Father, 
Let  me  find  thy  grace  and  mercy ; 
And  to  thee  all  praise  and  glory 
Through  the  endless  ages  be. 

II 

Hymn  to  God 

This  hymn,  commencing,  "S2  Travrwv  kmKeiva, 
says  Chatfield — ^whose  version  we  subjoin — is  an 
undying  record,  and  may  bear  comparison  with 
any  similar  composition  in  any  age : 

O  thou,  the  One  supreme  o'er  all ! 

For  by  what  other  name 
May  we  upon  thy  greatness  call. 

Or  celebrate  thy  fame  ? 

Ineffable !  to  thee  what  speech 

Can  hymns  of  honor  raise  ? 
Ineffable  !  what  tongue  can  reach 

The  measure  of  thy  praise  ? 

How,  unapproached,  shall  mind  of  man 

Descry  thy  dazzling  throne, 
And  pierce,  and  find  thee  out,  and  scan 

Where  thou  dost  dwell  alone  ? 

Unuttered  thou !  all  uttered  things 

Have  had  their  birth  from  thee : 
The  One  unknown !  from  thee  the  springs 

Of  all  we  know  and  see ! 

Mindful,  and  mindless,  all  things  yield 

To  thy  parental  sway. 
For  thou  to  all  art  life  and  shield : 

They  honor  and  obey. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  37 

For  round  thee  center  all  the  woes 

Of  night  and  darkling  day. 
The  common  wants  and  common  throes; 

And  all  to  thee  do  pray. 

And  all  things,  as  they  move  along 

In  order  fixed  by  thee. 
Thy  watchword  heed,  in  silent  song 

Hymning  thy  majesty. 

And  lo !  all  things  abide  in  thee. 

And  through  the  complex  whole 
Thou  spread'st  thine  own  divinity, 

Thyself  of  all  the  goal. 

One  Being  thou,  all  things,  yet  none. 

Nor  one  nor  yet  all  things; 
How  call  thee,  O  mysterious  One  ? 

A  worthy  name,  who  brings  ? 

All-named  from  attributes  thine  own. 

How  call  thee  as  we  ought? 
Thou  art  unlimited,  alone, 

Beyond  the  range  of  thought. 

What  heaven-born  intellect  shall  rend 

The  veiling  clouds  above? 
Be  thou  propitious !  ever  send 

Bright  tokens  of  thy  love ! 

O  thou,  the  One  supreme  o'er  all ! 

For  by  what  other  name 
May  we  upon  thy  greatness  call. 

Or  celebrate  thy  fame  ? 


38  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

III 

Hymn  to  Christ  on  Easter  Day 

(After  long  silence) 

The   translation   of   this   hymn,    commencing, 
XpLGTs  dva^,  is  by  Chatfield: 

0  Christ  the  King !   since  breath  pent  up  so  long 

1  have  outpoured,  thou  first  shalt  be  my  song; 
May  this  my  word,  the  current  of  my  mind. 

If  lawful  thus  to  speak,  acceptance  find. 
And  unto  thee  as  holy  incense  rise 
Of  holiest  priest,  a  grateful  sacrifice ! 
The  Father's  Brightness,  Word  of  the  Great  Mind, 
Who  cannot  be  by  power  of  speech  defined. 
High  Light  of  highest  Light,  the  Only  Son, 
Image  and  Seal  of  the  Immortal  One, 
Without  beginning;    from  same  Fount  of  Light 
With  the  Great  Spirit;   infinite  in  might: 
All-glorious  thou,  and  Author  of  all  good: 
From  age  to  age  thy  truth  hath  firmly  stood. 
Enthroned  thou  reignest  high  in  heaven  above. 
Almighty  Breath  of  Mind  and  Lord  of  Love. 
Throughout  this  framed  universe  divine 
Whatever  is,  or  shall  be,  all  is  thine : 
Thou  madest  all,  to  all  thou  givest  life. 
And  all  thou  guidest:  nowhere  fault  or  strife 
Nor  error  in  thy  workmanship  is  found: 
The  whole  in  willing  chain  to  thee  is  bound. 
Thou  laid'st  the  world's  foundation ;   and  thy  nod 
All  things  obey,  and  own  their  Sovereign  God. 
For  thee  the  lofty  sun,  the  king  of  day. 
Quenching  the  stars,  holds  on  his  fiery  way. 
For  thee,  for  so  thou  bidst,  the  eye  of  night. 
The  moon,  waxes  and  wanes,  full  orb  of  light. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  39 

For  thee  the  belt  of  heaven,  all-dancing  ring, 

And  seasons  kindly  mingling,  laugh  and  sing. 

For  thee  the  fixed  stars  and  planets  shine 

In  course,  and  speak  thy  wisdom  all  divine. 

Thy  light  they  are,  the  heavenly  minds  that  be. 

All  sing  on  high  the  glorious  Trinity. 

Man  is  thy  glory  too,  angel  below, 

Here  placed  to  sing,  O  Light,  thy  beauteous  glow. 

Immortal,  fleshless,  glory's  highest  ray. 

Who  mortal  flesh  yet  took'st,  man's  woes  to  stay. 

For  thee  I  live,  for  thee  my  songs  arise, 

For  thee  I  am  a  breathing  sacrifice; 

For  this,  of  all  things  once  possessed  by  me. 

Alone  remains,  and  this  I  give  to  thee. 

I  tie  my  tongue,  and  loose  it  at  thy  will ; 
In  either,  what  thou  wouldst  may  I  fulfill, 
Speak  what  is  right,  nor  think  aught  else  beside : 
From  mire  select  the  pearl,  with  thee  my  Guide ; 
Gold  from  the  sand,  the  rose  from  thorny  brake, 
From  straw-encumbered  ears  the  pure  grain  take. 

To  thee,  O  Christ,  this  wreath  of  uttered  praise. 
As  firstfruits  of  my  loving  toil,  I  raise. 

For  from  the  dead,  with  whom  he  mingled  lay, 
Great  Christ  arose,  upon  this  gladsome  day; 
Gates  of  grim  Hades  he  did  open  fling; 
And  broke  death's  power,  and  robbed  him  of  his  sting ; 
Rushed  from  the  tomb,  appeared  to  speaking  men. 
For  whom,  once  born,  he  died  and  rose  again ; 
That  we  newborn  might  rise,  from  death  set  free. 
And  ever  live,  ascending  Lord,  with  thee. 
This  day  glad  heaven  with  acclamation  rings. 
And  choir  angelic  crowning  anthem  sings. 


40  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

This  day  my  closed  lips  I  loose  in  song 

To  thee,  to  whom  my  lute  and  breath  belong. 

Of  mind  to  Mind,  of  word  to  the  true  Word, 
I  here  have  offered  what  I  could  afford: 
Hereafter,  if  he  will,  I  hope  to  bring 
To  the  Great  Spirit  worthier  offering. 

IV 

To  His  Own  Soul 
The  translation  of  this  poem,  commencing,  T£ 
aoL  ■&iXEig,  is  that  by  Mrs.  Browning,  who  has 
the  heading  "Soul  and  Body."  Another  transla- 
tion is  given  by  Chatfield,  who  remarks  that  the 
original  is  one  of  the  most  spirited  pieces  anywhere 
to  be  found,  truly  forcible  and  racy. 

What  wilt  thou  possess  or  be  ? 

0  my  soul,  I  ask  of  thee. 

What  of  great,  or  what  of  small. 
Counted  precious  therewithal? 
Be  it  only  rare,  and  want  it, 

1  am  ready,  soul,  to  grant  it. 
Wilt  thou  choose  to  have  and  hold 
Lydian  Gyges'  charm  of  old. 

So  to  rule  us  with  a  ring. 
Turning  round  the  jeweled  thing. 
Hidden  by  its  face  concealed, 
And  revealed  by  its  revealed? 
Or  preferrest  Midas'  fate — 
He  who  died  in  golden  state, 
All  things  being  changed  to  gold? 
Of  a  golden  hunger  dying, 
Through  a  surfeit  of  "would  I"-ing ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  41 

Wilt  have  jewels  brightly  cold. 
Or  may  fertile  acres  please  ? 
Or  the  sheep  of  many  a  fold. 
Camels,  oxen,  for  the  wold? 
Nay  !  I  will  not  give  thee  these  ! 
These  to  take  thou  hast  not  will. 
These  to  give  I  have  not  skill ; 
Since  I  cast  earth's  cares  abroad. 
That  day  when  I  turned  to  God. 

Wouldst  a  throne,  a  crown  sublime. 
Bubble  blown  upon  the  time? 
So  thou  mayest  sit  to-morrow 
Looking  downward  in  meek  sorrow. 
Some  one  walking  by  thee  scorning, 
Who  adored  thee  yester  morning, 
Some  malign  one  ?    Wilt  be  bound 
Fast  in  marriage  (joy  unsound!) 
And  be  turned  round  and  round 
As  the  time  turns  ?    Wilt  thou  catch  it. 
That  sweet  sickness?    and  to  match  it 
Have  babies  by  the  hearth,  bewildering? 
And  if  I  tell  thee  the  best  children 
Are  none — what  answer? 

Wilt  thou  thunder 
Thy  rhetorics,  move  the  people  under? 
Covetest  to  sell  the  laws 
With  no  justice  in  thy  cause. 
And  bear  on,  or  else  be  borne. 
Before  tribunals  worthy  scorn  ? 
Wilt  thou  shake  a  javelin  rather 
Breathing  war  ?    or  wilt  thou  gather 
Garlands  from  the  wrestler's  ring? 
Or  kill  beasts  for  glorying? 


42  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

Covetest  the  city's  shout, 
And  to  be  in  brass  struck  out  ? 
Gravest  thou  that  shade  of  dreaming. 
Passing  air  of  shifting  seeming. 
Rushing  of  a  printless  arrow. 
Clapping  echo  of  a  hand? 
What  to  those  who  understand 
Are  to-day's  enjoyments  narrow. 
Which  to-morrow  go  again. 
Which  are  shared  with  evil  men. 
And  of  which  no  man  in  his  dying 
Taketh  aught  for  softer  lying? 
What  then  wouldst  thou,  if  thy  mood 
Choose  not  these?    What  wilt  thou  be, 
O  my  soul?   a  deity? 
A  god  before  the  face  of  God, 
Standing  glorious  in  his  glories. 
Choral  in  his  angels'  chorus? 

Go !  upon  thy  wing  arise. 
Plumed  by  quick  energies. 
Mount  in  circles  up  the  skies: 
And  I  will  bless  thy  winged  passion. 
Help  with  words  thine  exaltation, 
And,  like  a  bird  of  rapid  feather, 
Outlaunch  thee.  Soul,  upon  the  aether. 

But  thou,  O  fleshly  nature,  say. 
Thou  with  odors  from  the  clay. 
Since  thy  presence  I  must  have 
As  a  lady  with  a  slave, 
What  wouldst  thou  possess  or  be. 
That  thy  breath  may  stay  with  thee? 
Nay !    I  owe  thee  naught  beside. 
Though  thine  hands  be  open  wide. 
Would  a  table  suit  thy  wishes. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  43 

Fragrant  with  sweet  oils  and  dishes 

Wrought  to  subtle  niceness  ?  where 

Stringed  music  strokes  the  air. 

And  blithe  hand-clappings,  and  the  smooth 

Fine  postures  of  the  tender  youth 

And  virgins  wheeling  through  the  dance 

With  an  unveiled  countenance, — 

Joys  for  drinkers,  who  love  shame. 

And  the  maddening  wine-cup's  flame. 

Wilt  thou  such,  howe'er  decried? 

Take  them, — and  a  rope  beside ! 

Nay !    this  boon  I  give  instead 

Unto  friend  insatiated, — 

May  some  rocky  house  receive  thee 

Self-roofed,  to  conceal  thee  chiefly; 

Or  if  labor  there  must  lurk, 

Be  it  by  a  short  day's  work ! 

And  for  garment,  camel's  hair. 

As  the  righteous  clothed  were. 

Clothe  thee !   or  the  bestial  skin, 

Adam's  bareness  hid  within, — 

Or  some  green  thing  from  the  way. 

Leaf  of  herb,  or  branch  of  vine. 

Swelling,  purpling  as  it  may, 

Fearless  to  be  drunk  for  wine ! 

Spread  a  table  there  beneath  thee, 

Which  a  sweetness  shall  upbreathe  thee, 

And  which  the  dearest  earth  is  giving, 

Simple  present  to  all  living ! 

When  that  we  have  placed  thee  near  it, 

We  will  feed  thee  with  glad  spirit. 

Wilt  thou  eat?    soft,  take  the  bread. 

Oaten  cake,  if  that  bested; 

Salt  will  season  all  aright. 

And  thine  own  good  appetite, 


44  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Which  we  measure  not,  nor  fetter : 

'Tis  an  uncooked  condiment, 

Famine's  self  the  only  better. 

Wilt  thou  drink  ?  why,  here  doth  bubble 

Water  from  a  cup  unspent, 

Followed  by  no  tipsy  trouble, 

Pleasure  sacred  from  the  grape ! 

Wilt  thou  have  it  in  some  shape 

More  like  luxury  ?  we  are 

No  grudgers  of  wine-vinegar ! 

But  if  all  will  not  suffice  thee, 

And  thou  covetest  to  draw 

In  that  pitcher  with  a  flaw, 

Brimful  pleasures  heaven  denies  thee — 

Go,  and  seek  out,  by  that  sign, 

Other  help  than  this  of  mine ! 

For  me,  I  have  not  leisure  so 

To  warm  thee.  Sweet,  my  household  foe. 

Until,  like  a  serpent  frozen, 

New  maddened  with  the  heat,  thou  loosen 

Thy  rescued  fang  within  mine  heart! 

Wilt  have  measureless  delights 

Of  gold-roofed  palaces,  and  sights 

From  pictured  or  from  sculptured  art. 

With  motion  near  their  life ;  and  splendor 

Of  bas-relief,  with  tracery  tender, 

And  varied  and  contrasted  hues  ? 

Wilt  thou  have,  as  nobles  use, 

Broidered  robes  to  flow  about  thee? 

Jeweled  fingers  ?    Need  we  doubt  thee  ? 

Gauds  for  which  the  wise  will  flout  thee  ? 

I  most,  who,  of  all  beauty,  know 

It  must  be  inward,  to  be  so  ! 

And  thus  I  speak  to  mortals  low. 

Living  for  the  hour,  and  o'er 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  45 

Its  shadow,  seeing  nothing  more: 
But  for  those  of  nobler  bearing, 
Who  live  more  worthily  of  wearing 
A  portion  of  the  heavenly  nature — 
To  low  estate  of  clayey  creature, 
See,  I  bring  the  beggar's  meed, 
Nutriment  beyond  the  need ! 
O,  beholder  of  the  Lord, 
Prove  on  me  the  flaming  sword ! 
Be  mine  husbandman,  to  nourish 
Holy  plants,  that  words  may  flourish 
Of  which  mine  enemy  would  spoil  me. 
Using  pleasurehood  to  foil  me ! 
Lead  me  closer  to  the  tree 
Of  all  life's  eternity; 
Which,  as  I  have  pondered,  is 
The  knowledge  of  God's  greatnesses : 
Light  of  One,  and  shine  of  Three, 
Unto  whom  all  things  that  be 
Flow  and  tend ! 

In  such  a  guise. 
Whoever  on  the  earth  is  wise 
Wilt  speak  unto  himself :  and  who 
Such  inner  converse  would  eschew, — 
We  say  perforce  of  that  poor  wight, 
"He  lived  in  vain !"  and  if  aright. 
It  is  not  the  worst  word  we  might. 

This  is  one  of  the  several  long  poems,  "severally 
defective  in  a  defect  common  but  not  necessary 
to  short  occasional  poems,  and  lamentable  an)?-- 
where,  a  want  of  unity  and  completeness,  .  . 
Monotony  of  construction  without  unity  of  inten- 
tion is  the  most  wearisome  of  monotonies,  and, 


46  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

except  in  the  case  of  a  few  short  poems,  we  find  it 
everywhere  in  Gregory"  (Mrs.  Browning). 

The  following  two  are  in  Chatfield's  rendering: 

V 

A  Morning  Prayer 

"Og^piog  Sldufii 

'Tis  dawn :  to  God  I  lift  my  hand. 

To  regulate  my  way; 
My  passions  rule,  and  unmoved  stand. 

And  give  to  Thee  the  day. 

Not  one  dark  word  or  deed  of  sin, 

Not  one  base  thought  allow; 
But  watch  all  avenues  within. 

And  wholly  keep  my  vow. 

Shamed  were  my  age,  should  I  decline; 

Shamed  were  thy  table  too 
At  which  I  stand;   thy  will  is  mine; 

Give  grace,  my  Christ,  to  do. 

VI 

A  Hymn  at  Night 

(After  failure  to  keep  vow) 
'Eipevod[i7]v  ae 

0  Thou  the  Word  of  truth  divine  ! 
All  light  I  have  not  been ; 

Nor  kept  the  day  as  wholly  thine, 
For  thou  dark  spots  hast  seen. 

The  day  is  down;   night  hath  prevailed; 
My  Lord  I  have  belied. 

1  vowed  and  thought  to  do,  but  failed ; 
My  steps  did  somewhere  slide. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  47 

There  came  a  darkness  from  below. 

Obscuring  safety's  way ; 
Thy  light,  O  Christ,  again  bestow; 

Turn  darkness  into  day. 


VII 

An  Evening  Hymn 
2e  Kai  vvv 
The  rendering  here  given  is  that  of  Mrs.  Charles ; 
another  translation  is  given  by  Chatfield. 

Christ,  my  Lord,  I  come  to  bless  thee. 
Now  when  day  is  veiled  in  night ; 

Thou  who  knowest  no  beginning, 
Light  of  the  Eternal  Light. 

Thou  the  darkness  hast  dissolved. 
And  the  outward  light  created, 

That  all  things  in  light  might  be; 
Fixing  the  unfixed  chaos, 
Molding  it  to  wondrous  beauty, 

Into  the  fair  world  we  see. 

Thou  enlightenest  man  with  reason. 
Far  beyond  the  creatures  dumb. 

That  light  in  thy  light  beholding. 
Wholly  light  he  might  become. 

Thou  hast  set  the  radiant  heavens 
With  thy  many  lamps  of  brightness. 

Filling  all  the  vaults  above. 
Day  and  night  in  turn  subjecting 
To  a  brotherhood  of  service 

And  a  mutual  law  of  love. 


48  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

By  the  night  our  wearied  nature 
Resting  from  its  toil  and  tears ; 

To  the  works.  Lord,  that  thou  lovest, 
Waking  us  when  day  appears. 


VIII 
Admonitory  Address  to  a  Virgin 

Of  this  poem  on  celibacy,  commencing,  TlapMve 
vvfKpT],  Mrs.  Browning  says  it  "has  occasionally 
graphic  touches,  but  is  dull  enough  generally  to 
suit  the  fairest  spinster's  view  of  that  melancholy 
subject.  If  Hercules  could  have  read  it,  he  must 
have  rested  in  the  middle — from  which  the  reader 
is  entreated  to  forbear  the  inference  that  the  poem 
has  not  been  read  through  by  the  writer  of  the 
present  remarks. "  The  translation  which  we  sub- 
join is  that  of  Mr.  Chatfield: 

O  Bride  of  Christ  on  high. 
Thy  Bridegroom  glorify ! 
Always  thyself  keep  pure, 
In  word  and  wisdom  sure, 
That  bright  with  Him  all-bright 
Thou  e'er  mayst  dwell  in  light. 
Far  better  spouse  is  he 
Than  earthly  spouse  could  be: 
Thy  union  happier  far 
Than  mortal  unions  are. 
In  bodily  estate 
Thou  yet  didst  imitate 
The  intellectual  powers, 
Giving  to  him  thy  hours: 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  49 

And  didst  acquire  on  earth 
The  angels'  right  of  birth. 
'Tis  "bind  and  loose"  below. 
Bodies  from  bodies  grow: 
Above  each  stand  alone. 
Nor  loosing  there  is  known. 
Of  pure  existence,  they 
First  bear  the  ethereal  ray, 
Spirit  and  fire:   none  rests. 
Doing  great  God's  behests. 
But  now  wild  matter  found — 
All  nature  flowing  round 
With  unresisted  force — 
A  mingled  intercourse; 
But  God  the  flood  restrained, 
And  marriage  laws  ordained. 
But  thou  hast  hence  escaped, 
And  upward  thy  course  shaped ; 
From  matter's  base  alloy 
To  spirit's  holy  joy. 
Mind  harmonized  with  mind, 
Doth  truest  pleasure  find: 
Such  harmony  is  thine, 
A  harmony  divine. 
With  flesh  thou  war  dost  wage, 
And  helpest  God's  image : 
For  thou  art  God's  own  breath. 
With  body  yoked  till  death : 
That  out  of  wrestling  sore. 
At  length  the  battle  o'er. 
And  earth  well  beaten  down, 
Thou  mayst  receive  the  crown. 
To  marriage  also  raise, 
But  only  second  praise. 
That  is  for  passion  given. 


50  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OP 

This  is  bright  light  of  heaven: 

That  founds  a  pure  offspring. 

This  is  self-ofifering. 

This  honored  was,  we  hold. 

At  seasons  marked  of  old. 

To  this  in  Paradise, 

Lo!   Adam  testifies: 

For  this  on  Sinai's  peak 

Doth  Moses  also  speak; 

And  Zachary  the  priest 

Of  God's  true  saints  not  least. 

And  whom  we  hail  the  rather 

As  the  Forerunner's  father. 

But  marriage  hath  its  need: 

Hence  springs  a  holy  seed : 

And  hence  the  virgin  bride 

Honored  at  God's  own  side. 

Yet  of  the  flesh  it  is,  and  earth. 

All  earthly  from  its  birth. 

When  law  and  shadows  ruled. 

And  we  were  sometime  schooled. 

Marriage  held  scepter  mild. 

Yet  like  a  little  child. 

But  when  the  letter  died. 

The  Spirit  was  supplied: 

For  Christ  had  come  and  borne 

In  flesh  our  woes  and  scorn : 

Had  brought  redemption  nigh. 

And  then  ascended  high : 

Christ,  sprung  from  Virgin's  womb, 

Christ,  Conqueror  o'er  the  tomb. 

Then  continence  did  rise, 

And  this  base  world  despise. 

Which  should  its  course  have  mended. 

And  high  with  Christ  ascended. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  51 

Thou  journey'st  well !   but  haste ! 
Behind  is  fiery  waste : 
Take  to  thy  steps  good  heed, 
And  to  the  mountain  speed. 
Cast  not  one  backward  glance 
On  Sodom,  lest  perchance 
Thou,  fixed  upon  the  ground, 
A  pile  of  salt  be  found. 
In  battling  with  the  flesh 
Take  ever  courage  fresh. 
Neither  by  terror  bent. 
Nor  overconfident. 
Faint  not,  for  He  is  nigh 
Who  will  all  strength  supply. 

A  spark  may  kindle  hell : 
Water  the  flame  doth  quell. 
Full  means  to  thee  are  lent 
For  good  self-government. 
Let  thou  the  fear  of  God 
Freeze  the  rebellious  blood: 
Fasting  the  flesh  control : 
Keep  watches  o'er  thy  soul, 
And  pour  it  forth  in  prayer : 
Such  thy  true  weapons  are. 
Add  tears :  and  lowly  bed, 
With  reeds  or  rushes  spread: 
One  constant  flame  of  love 
Rising  to  God  above. 
And  lulling  all  desire 
Which  doth  not  up  aspire. 
The  fallen  rise  by  thee ! 
The  shipwrecked  pitied  be  ! 
Thyself  live  out  the  gale, 
Expanding  Hope's  bright  sail. 


52  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OP 

They  fall  not  who  ne'er  rise, 
But  they  who  try  the  skies. 
Few  mount  on  pinion  wings : 
Straight  course  to  humbler  things. 
Fell  Lucifer  through  pride : 
Angels  in  heaven  reside. 
One,  traitor,  sunk  in  night : 
The  eleven  are  stars  of  light. 

Be  pure,  be  wholly  pure, 
Of  this  make  ever  sure, 
Lest  thou,  by  heeding  not, 
Christ's  spotless  robe  shouldst  spot. 
Let  modest  be  thine  eye: 
Thy  tongue  speak  maidenly : 
Thy  mind  not  pandering. 
Thy  foot  not  wandering : 
Nor  loud  laugh  marking  thee. 
As  one  we  blush  to  see. 

Thy  poor  and  tarnished  wear. 
Thy  unadorned  hair, 
I  honor  more  than  pearls. 
Or  silken  dress,  or  curls. 

Fair  flower  is  modest  face. 
And  paleness  is  true  grace: 
And  virtues  plentiful 
Are  braid  most  beautiful. 
With  paints  let  others  dress 
The  living  God's  likeness ; 
Live  tablet  they  of  sin, 
And  all  that's  base  within. 
Whate'er  thou  hast  of  beauty. 
Die  let  it  all  to  duty : 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  53 

But  beauty  of  the  soul — 

'Tis  God's — if  keep  thou  whole. 

Of  men,  though  good  they  be, 
The  sight  'twere  best  thou  flee. 
Some  cheat  might  thee  entrance, 
Or  be  entranced  perchance: 
Eye  now  with  eye  bespangling. 
And  word  with  word  entangling, 
Then  cheek  with  cheek  o'erglowing. 
And  mutual  passion  flowing. 
'Tis  well:   but  not  for  thee: 
Not  thine  the  accursed  tree : 
The  tree  of  life  thy  care: 
The  serpent's  guile  beware ! 

O  maiden,  hear  my  word, 
Have  thou  no  other  lord; 
Thy  Bridegroom  reigns  above. 
And  bids  thee  faithful  prove. 
Thou  from  the  flesh  hast  fled. 
And  it  to  thee  is  dead. 
Why  turn  to  it  again. 
And  make  thy  work  all  vain? 
That  singleness  of  thine 
Is  a  rare  gift  divine: 
Few  they  whom  it  adorns, 
As  rose  among  the  thorns. 
Such  grace  'tis  thine  to  know: 
High  o'er  the  snares  below, 
By  which  the  wicked  fall, 
Thou  safely  passest  all. 

Lo  !  one  no  sooner  builds. 
And  bridal  chamber  gilds. 


54  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Than  she  with  mournful  gloom 
Forth  bears  him  to  the  tomb. 
Felt  one  a  father's  pride  ? 
At  once  the  loved  child  died. 
And  oh !  the  mother's  pain 
Of  travailing  in  vain ! 

And  jealousy,  ah  me ! 
How  frightful  'tis  to  see, 
When  each  the  other  taunts. 
Where  stolen  friendship  haunts ! 

What  wormwood  and  what  gall. 
Worst  recompense  of  all, 
To  rear  up  family, 
And  then  dishonored  be  ! 

One  care  is  thine,  one  call. 
To  look  to  God  in  all ! 
But  little  thou  dost  need : 
That  little  God  will  speed. 

Shelter  and  barley  cake 
Sufficient  wealth  will  make : 
Nor  shall  dire  need  impart 
Keen  edge  to  tempter's  dart. 
As  when  Christ,  hard  bestead. 
He  bade  turn  stones  to  bread. 

By  thee,  however  tried, 
Be  all  base  gain  denied: 
Fowls  of  the  air  God  feeds. 
Sure  then  his  saints  he  heeds. 
Of  oil,  if  faith  prevail. 
Thy  cruse  shall  never  fail. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  55 

By  Cherith's  desert  brook 
At  the  great  prophet  look ! 
To  feed  him  ravens  sped : 
So  too  shalt  thou  be  fed ! 

How  Thecla  from  the  flame,i 

And  lions,  unscathed  came, 

Thou  know'st :   and  how  great  Paul, 

Preacher  of  truth  to  all, 

Bore  hunger,  thirst,  and  cold, 

Through  death's  worst  forms  still  bold ; 

That  thou  might'st  look,  O  maid. 

To  God  alone  for  aid. 

Who  in  the  wilderness 

With  food  can  myriads  bless. 

Lo!   beauty  fadeth  fast, 
Nor  will  earth's  glories  last: 
Wealth  is  a  failing  stream, 
And  power  an  empty  dream. 
But  thou,  faith's  sail  unfurled. 
Hast  fled  this  erring  world. 
Steering  thy  course  on  high 
To  realms  beyond  the  sky. 
There  in  the  holy  shrine 
Thou  shalt  forever  shine : 
And  there  with  angels  raise 
The  song  of  endless  praise ! 

A  better  portion  far 

Than  sons  and  daughters  are ! 

But  maidens,  be  ye  wise, 
And  watch  with  longing  eyes, 

1  Thecla,  see  the  "virgin's  song"  of  Methodius,  p.  26. 


56  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

That  when  Christ  shall  return 
Your  lamps  may  brightly  burn : 
That  with  the  Bridegroom  ye 
May  enter  in,  and  see 
The  beauty  and  the  grace 
Of  his  own  dwelling  place, 
And  share  in  truth  and  love 
The  mysteries  above. 

These  are  all  the  pieces  of  Gregory  which  are 
contained  in  the  Greek  anthology  published  by 
Christ  and  Paranikas.  In  some  manuscripts  of 
Gregory  we  also  find  a  quasi-Euripidean  trag- 
edy entitled  Xpiardg  Tra'a;^wv,  which  has  therefore 
been  attributed  to  Gregory,  Mrs.  Browning,  who 
ascribes  the  authorship  of  this  tragedy  to  Apol- 
linaris,  says:  "Let  no  voice  evermore  attribute 
it  to  Gregory  Nazianzen,"  and,  "One  only  tragedy 
remains  with  which  the  memory  of  Gregory  Nazi- 
anzen has  been  right  tragically  affronted,  and 
which  Gregory  would  cast  off  with  the  scorn  and 
anger  befitting  an  Apollinarian  heresy."  The 
Gregorian  authorship  was  defended  in  modem 
times  by  A.  Ellisen  in  "Analekten  der  mittel-und 
neugriechischen  Literatur,"  part  i,  containing  the 
original  Greek  with  a  German  translation  (Leip- 
zig, 1855).  Parts  of  the  tragedy  with  the  trans- 
lation of  Ellisen  were  published  by  Bassler  in  his 
"Auswahl  altchristlicher  Lieder"  (Berlin,  1858), 
who  adopts  Ellisen's  view.  But  J.  G.  Brambs  in 
his  "De  auctoritate  tragoediee  Christianas  quae  in- 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  57 

scribi  solet  Xpiardg  7Td(rxo)v,  Gregorio  Nazianzeno, 
falso  attributae"  (Eichstadt,  1883),  and  especially 
in  his  edition  of  the  "Christus  Patiens"  (Leipzig, 
1885),  has  shown  that  Theodore  Prodromus,  of 
the  twelfth  century,  is  the  author  of  the  tragedy. 
(See  also  Hilberg,  "Wiener  Studien,"  1886,  p.  282, 
seq.) 

Bassler  also  gives  a  poem,  or  rather  a  part  of 
a  poem,  entitled  "To  Himself"  (Ugdg  kavrbv), 
which  commences,  Jlov  6e  Xoyot,,  which  has  been 
rendered  into  English  in  "The  Voice  of  Christian 
Life  in  Song,"  p.  65,  where  Mrs.  Charles  says: 
"When  his  work  was  done,  the  Church  of  the 
Anastasia  had  arisen,  and  father,  mother,  brother, 
and  sister,  all  were  dead.  In  the  depths  of  its 
natural  fears,  and  the  firmness  of  the  hope  to 
which  at  last  it  rises,  it  tells  the  history  of  those 
solitary  years,  and  echoes  well  the  music  of  those 
ancient  psalms  which  soar  so  often  'out  of  the 
depths'  into  the  light  of  God."  The  following 
translation  is  by  Mrs.  Browning: 

To  Himself 

Where  are  my  winged  words?    Dissolved  in  air. 
Where  is  my  flower  of  youth  ?    All  withered.    Where 
My  glory  ?    Vanished.    Where  the  strength  I  knew 
From  comely  limbs  ?    Disease  hath  changed  it  too, 
And  bent  them.    Where  the  riches  and  the  lands  ? 
God  hath  them!    Yea,  and  sinners'  snatching  hands 
Have  grudged  the  rest.    Where  is  my  father,  mother, 
And  where  my  blessed  sister,  my  sweet  brother  ? 


58  HYMNS   AND    POETRY   OF 

Gone  to  the  grave ! — There  did  remain  for  me 
Alone  my  fatherland,  till  destiny, 
Malignly  stirring  a  black  tempest,  drove 
My  foot  from  that  last  rest.    And  now  I  rove 
Estranged  and  desolate  a  foreign  shore, 
And  drag  my  mournful  life  and  age  all  hoar 
Throneless  and  cityless,  and  childless  save 
This  father-care  for  children,  which  I  have. 
Living  from  day  to  day  on  wandering  feet. 
Where  shall  I  cast  this  body?    What  will  greet 
My  sorrows  with  an  end?    What  gentle  ground 
And  hospitable  grave  will  wrap  me  round? 
Who  last  my  dying  eyelids  stoop  to  close — 
Some  saint,  the  Saviour's  friend?   or  one  of  those 
Who  do  not  know  him?    The  air  interpose, 
And  scatter  these  words  too ! 


S^nesius 

(A.  D.  375-430) 
Synesius  was  born  at  Cyrene,  about  the  year 
A.  D.  375.  He  was  an  enthusiastic  pupil  of 
Hypatia,  the  female  philosopher,  at  Alexandria, 
and  in  410  was  called  to  the  bishopric  of  Ptole- 
mais,  the  capital  of  Pentapolis.  "Before  taking 
orders  he  frankly  declared  that  he  could  not  for- 
sake his  philosophical  opinions,  although  he  would 
in  public  accommodate  himself  to  the  popular 
belief.  Synesius  was  made  bishop,  but  oft  regret- 
ted that  he  exchanged  his  favorite  studies  for  the 
responsible  and  onerous  duties  of  the  bishopric. 
In  his  hymns  he  fuses  the  Christian  doctrine  of  the 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  59 

Trinity  with  the  Platonic  idea  of  God,  and  the 
Saviour  with  the  divine  Helios,  whose  daily  set- 
ting and  rising  was  to  him  a  type  of  Christ's  de- 
scent into  Hades  and  ascension  to  heaven.  The 
desire  of  the  soul  to  be  freed  from  the  chains  of 
matter  takes  the  place  of  the  sorrow  for  sin  and 
the  longing  after  salvation"  (Schaff,  1.  c,  iii,  p. 
604,  seq.). 

As  a  poet  Synesius  stands  quite  independent  of 
Gregory,  and  probably  did  not  know  of  his  writ- 
ings, as  he  calls  himself  the  first  Christian  poet. 
"He  was  a  poet,"  says  Mrs.  Browning;  "the  chief 
poet,  we  do  not  hesitate  to  record  our  opinion — 
the  chief,  for  true  and  natural  gifts,  of  all  our 
Greek  Christian  poets;  and  it  was  his  choice  to 
pray  lyrically  between  the  dew  and  the  cloud 
rather  than  preach  dogmatically  between  the 
doxies.  .  .  .  This  poet  has  a  higher  place  among 
poets  than  this  bishop  among  bishops.  .  .  .  Little, 
indeed,  of  his  poetry  has  reached  us,  but  this 
little  is  great  in  a  nobler  sense  than  of  quantity; 
and  when  of  his  odes,  Anacreontic  for  the  most 
part,  we  cannot  say  praisefully  that  'they  smell 
of  Anacreon,'  it  is  because  their  fragrance  is  holier 
and  more  abiding;  it  is  because  the  human  soul 
burning  in  the  censer  effaces  from  our  spiritual 
perceptions  the  attar  of  a  thousand  rose-trees 
whose  roots  are  in  Teos." 

In  the  anthology  published  by  Christ,  Synesius 's 
odes  occupy  the  first  place.    A  convenient  edition 


6o  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

of  "Synesii  Episcopi  Hymni  metrici"  was  pub- 
lished by  J.  Flach,  Tiibingen,  1875. 

The  first  hymn  in  the  order  as  given  by  Christ, 
commencing,  "Aye  jioi,  Xiysia,  we  give  in  Chatfield's 
version : 

Hymn  to  the  Deity 
Wake,  wake,  I  pray  thee,  shrill-toned  lyre ! 
No  more  to  fan  the  Te'ian  fire. 
No  more  the  Lesbian  strain  to  raise. 
Wake,  wake  to  hymn  of  nobler  praise ! 
Sound  Dorian  ode,  in  other  guise. 
Than  once  to  maid  with  laughing  eyes, 
Or  youth  whose  form  and  golden  tresses 
Might  woo  the  wanton  air's  caresses  ! 
A  better  theme  inspires  my  song. 
And  bears  my  soul  far  hence  along. 
A  Virgin's  God — conceiving  throes. 
Wisdom's  own  cure  for  mortal  woes — 
This  bids  me  now  my  harp-strings  ply. 
And  earth's  black  loves  and  miseries  fly. 
For  what  is  strength,  or  beauty's  sway, 
Or  gold,  or  fame — what  doth  it  weigh — 
Or  royal  honors — in  the  scale? 
What  these  'gainst  search  for  God  avail  ? 
Let  this  man  urge  the  well-horsed  car. 
That  shoot  the  true-aimed  arrow  far ; 
Another  watch  o'er  golden  heap. 
And  safe  his  hoarded  treasure  keep; 
To  one  be  pride  of  glossy  hair 
Flowing  o'er  neck  in  wavelets  fair; 
Another  court  the  favoring  glances 
Of  boys  and  girls  in  hymns  and  dances. 
Not  such  for  me !     But  this  I  pray. 
Unknown  to  spend  life's  quiet  day; 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  6i 

To  this  vain  world  unmarked,  unknown. 
But  God's  truth  knowing  as  my  own. 
Wisdom  present  herself  to  me ! 
Good  guide  of  youth  and  age  is  she. 
Of  wealth  good  stewardess  and  queen, 
Alike  in  poverty  serene; 
Beyond  earth's  sorrows  smiling  gay. 
To  calm  content  she  points  the  way. 
That  priceless  wisdom  first  I  ask. 
To  guide  and  sweeten  all  life's  task, 
And  then  sufficient  humble  store 
To  keep  me  from  my  neighbor's  door ; 
That  I  may  ne'er,  oppressed  with  need. 
Harbor  dark  thoughts  of  selfish  greed. 

Hark !   'tis  the  sweet  cicada's  song : 
He  drinks  the  dew,  and  chirps  along. 
And,  lo !   my  strings  unbidden  sound. 
And  here  and  there  a  voice  around ! 
What  in  the  world — what  melody 
Will  pang  divine  bring  forth  to  me  ? 

'Tis  so  !    Self-sprung  Beginning  He, 

Father  and  Lord  of  all  that  be : 

Not  made,  not  born,  on  high  alone 

He  hath  o'er  lofty  heaven  his  throne. 

There  glory  changeless  he  displays. 

And  scepter  there  eternal  sways; 

Of  unities  pure  Unity, 

And  Sole  of  sole  existence  he ! 

High  ether  pure  he  did  combine. 

And  quicken  into  Life  Divine. 

He  then,  ere  yet  the  ages  ran, 

In  mode  inefifable  to  man. 

The  Godhead  through  the  Firstborn  poured : 

Hence  Three,  yet  One,  the  Triune  Lord. 


62  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

And  now  the  heavenly  fount  around 
Behold,  with  children's  beauty  crowned, 
Forth  from  the  center  as  they  spring. 
Or  round  it  flow  in  joyous  ring. 

But  stop,  rash  lyre,  thy  lofty  flight, 

Nor  touch  things  hid  from  mortal  sight ! 

To  men  below  it  is  not  given 

To  tell  high  mystic  rites  of  heaven. 

The  things  beneath  do  thou  reveal ; 

The  things  above  let  silence  seal. 

But  Mind  now  cares  for  worlds  alone. 
In  which  reflected  mind  is  shown : 
A  good  beginning  this  we  sing. 
For  thence  man's  spirit  hath  its  spring: 
For  now  to  matter  came  there  down 
Mind  incorruptible,  high  crown. 
Severed  in  each,  and  fragment  small, 
Yet  true  descent  from  God  of  all. 
This  whole,  in  every  part  one-centered. 
Whole  into  whole  as  it  hath  entered, 
Takes  station  at  the  eternal  poles, 
And  heaven's  resplendent  circle  rolls. 
Divided  next,  to  those  again. 
In  given  form  who  yet  retain 
Their  dowry  unimpaired  of  mind. 
There  are  high  offices  assigned ; 
The  chariot  race  of  stars  one  guides, 
One  o'er  the  angelic  choir  presides. 
But,  ah  !   another,  empty,  vain. 
Self-dragged  by  down-inclining  chain. 
Hath  found  a  form  of  lower  earth, 
Deep  fallen  from  his  heavenly  birth : 
From  home  apostate  far  he  flew. 
And  cups  of  Lethe's  darkness  drew ; 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  63 

Of  eyeless  soul  and  murky  mind, 

To  heaven's  true  joy  and  glory  blind; 

Fain  he  to  joyless  earth  repaired, 

A  god  by  mortal  things  ensnared. 

All  dark  !  yet,  lo  !  to  mortal  eyes 

A  ray  of  cheering  light  doth  rise  ! 

A  door  of  hope  is  opened  high. 

And  helping  hand  is  stretched  out  nigh. 

To  lift  the  fallen  here  on  earth 

Back  to  the  honors  of  their  birth. 

When  they,  emerging  from  the  strife 

And  din  and  cares  of  storm-tossed  life. 

To  holy  paths  have  turned  indeed, 

Which  to  their  Father's  palace  lead. 

Blest  he  who  from  the  entangling  mesh 

Of  matter  and  of  greedy  flesh 

Hath  fled,  and  on  w^ith  springing  bound 

The  upward  way  to  God  hath  found ! 

Blest  he  who,  after  fates  severe. 

And  toils  and  many  a  bitter  tear. 

And  all  the  crowds  of  anxious  cares 

Which  earth  to  all  her  votaries  shares. 

To  mind's  true  course  at  length  restored. 

Hath  God's  own  shining  depth  explored ! 

A  task  it  is,  to  lift  above 

Whole  outstretched  soul  in  newborn  love ! 

Yet  only  make  determined  start. 

With  wings  of  mind  and  honest  heart. 

And  nigh  to  thee  will  He  appear 

With  stretched- forth  hands,  thy  Father  dear. 

Before  will  run  a  shining  light, 

And  all  thy  upward  paths  make  bright : 

Fields  of  sweet  thought  thou  now  shalt  tread. 

Pledge  of  true  beauty,  for  thee  spread ! 


64  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Come,  O  my  soul,  and  drink  of  this, 
A  fountain  flowing  with  all  bliss; 
And  to  thy  Father,  lifting  prayer. 
Without  delay,  up-mount  the  air. 
Leaving  to  earth  the  things  of  earth. 
In  God  assert  thy  Godlike  birth; 
And  mingling  with  thy  Father,  Friend, 
Taste  joys  above  that  never  end. 

Bonar,  in  speaking  of  the  ode  just  given,  re- 
marks: "The  piece  is  a  long  one,  full  of  tender 
beauty,  but  too  much  reminding  us  of  Anacreon. 
Not  that  we  greatly  object  to  such  imitations. 
They  have,  at  and  since  the  Reformation,  been  of 
great  service  in  the  Christianizing  of  the  people. 
The  old  immemorial  melodies  had  rooted  them- 
selves in  the  minds  as  well  as  the  ears  of  the  nation. 
The  words  were  often  poor,  sometimes  evil;  and 
how  are  they  to  be  prevented  from  doing  mis- 
chief? By  having  them  supplanted  with  the 
good  and  true ;  the  well-known  tunes  retained,  the 
words  cast  aside.  We  find  this  done  in  England; 
but  the  fullest  experiment  of  the  kind  was  made 
in  Scotland,  where  the  Wedderburns  compiled  the 
'gude  and  godly  ballads,'  engrafting  holy  words 
upon  melodies  hitherto  associated  only  with  im- 
purity. How  touchingly  one  of  these  old  ballads 
nms: 

"Ah !  my  love,  leave  me  not. 

Leave  me  not,  leave  me  not, 

Thus  mine  alone ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  65 

With  ane  burden  on  my  back 
I  cannot  bear,  I  am  so  weak ; 
Ah,  my  love,  leave  me  not. 

Thus  mine  alone ! 
With  sins  I  am  laden  sair, 
Leave  me  not,  leave  me  not ; 
With  sins  I  am  laden  sair. 
Leave  me  not  alone ! 


"The  new  words,  though  sometimes  rude,  were 
very  exactly  fitted  to  the  old  tunes,  and  upon  the 
wings  of  these  old  tunes  gospel-truth  went  widely 
and  gloriously  over  Scotland.  We  do  not  know 
how  far  some  of  the  early  Greek  Christian  poets 
attempted  this,  or  whether  Synesius  had  this  in 
view  at  all  in  his  lyrical  effusions.  But  it  is  quite 
possible  that  Christianity  may  have  found  its 
way  into  Greek  and  Roman  hearts  by  means  of 
such  adaptations.  The  classic  dress  with  which 
Buchanan  clothed  the  Psalms  of  David  has 
brought  these  Hebrew  hymns,  formed  upon  a 
Hebrew  rhythm,  under  the  notice  of  many  a  one 
who  otherwise  would  have  overlooked,  perhaps 
despised,  them." 

Speaking  of  the  English  translation  of  this 
ode  by  Mr.  Chatfield,  Bonar  mentions  an  English 
version  made  in  1844  by  Mr.  Isaac  Williams,  the 
author  of  the  well-known  High  Church  treatise  on 
the  doctrine  of  Reserve,  whose  rendering  he 
regards  as  more  poetical  than  that  of  Chatfield, 
though  even  more  paraphrastic.     His  (Williams's) 


66  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

twenty-four  stanzas  really  make  a  fine  poem.  He 
has  completely  departed  from  the  measure  of  the 
Greek  original,  but  he  has  well  preserved  the 
spirit.  The  seven  stanzas  which  Bonar  quotes 
read  thus : 

"Come,  sweet  harp  resounding 

Te'ian  strains  of  yore. 
With  soft  airs  abounding 
Round  the  Lesbian  shore : 
Doric  shall  awake  thy  soft  themes  no  more. 

"Talk  no  more  of  maiden, 

Fair  with  beauty's  wiles, 
Youth  with  blessings  laden. 
Whom  new  life  beguiles, 
Smiling  as  it  flies,  flying  as  it  smiles. 

"Wisdom,  which  ne'er  wrongeth. 
Born  of  God  above. 
Toils  in  birth  and  longeth 
Your  sweet  strains  to  prove. 
And  hath  bid  me  flee  woes  of  earthly  love. 

"What  is  strength  or  glory. 
Beauty,  gold,  or  fame? 
What  renown  in  story. 
Or  a  kingly  name? 
To  the  thoughts  of  God — thoughts  that  bring  not 
blame. 

"One  o'er  steeds  is  bending, 
One  his  bow  hath  strung; 
One  his  gold  is  tending. 
Only  youth  is  sung, 
With  bright  looks,  and  locks  o'er  his   shoulders 
flung. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  67 

"Mine  be  the  low  portal, 
Paths  in  silence  trod, 
Knowing  not  things  mortal. 
Knowing  things  of  God, 
While  still  at  my  side  wisdom  holds  her  rod. 

"Thus  the  lyrist  moves  lightly  on  till  he  comes  to  such 
solemn  verses  as: 

"Happy  he  who  fleeth 
Hell  devouring  wide, 
Who  his  pathway  seeth 
Through  the  stormy  tide, 
And  to  God  returns,  casting  earth  aside." 

II 

UdXiv  (piyyog 

This  rendering  is  by  Chatfield: 

Again  we  hail  the  opening  morn. 
Again  breaks  forth  the  day  newborn. 
Which,  rising  in  victorious  might. 
Chases  away  black-wandering  night ! 
Again,  my  mind,  in  early  songs 
Praise  Him  to  whom  all  praise  belongs ; 
Who  gave  to  morning  dawn  the  light 
Who  gave  the  glittering  stars  to  night. 
Which  to  their  Maker  and  their  King 
Around  the  world  in  chorus  sing. 
For  o'er  prolific  matter,  high. 
Moves  ether  pure  in  fiery  sky ; 
Where  glides  the  moon  in  glorious  trim, 
Cutting  the  last  encircling  rim: 
For  to  the  eighth  revolving  stream 
The  star-borne  courses  brightly  gleam. 


68  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

But  now  beyond  the  starry  poles 

A  counter  sea  of  glory  rolls, 

Unbosomed;   and  with  dance  divine 

Doth  the  Eternal  Mind  enshrine. 

Which  covered  hath  with  hoary  wings 

The  palace  of  the  King  of  kings. 

What  is  beyond  none  may  relate. 

Nor  mind  of  man  can  penetrate : 

Eternal  severance  restrains. 

And  happy  silence  ever  reigns. 

From  Root,  or  Spring,  or  Fountain  one 

A  threefold  lighted  Form  hath  shone: 

For  where  the  Father  dwells  above. 

There  dwelleth  too  his  own  heart's  love. 

His  glorious  Son,  wisdom  perfect. 

And  of  all  worlds  the  Architect : 

And  in  the  Unity  combined 

The  Spirit's  holy  Light  hath  shined. 

One  Root  of  Good,  one  Fount  of  Love, 

Whence  sprung  the  bliss  supreme  above ; 

And  the  bright  holy  lamps  divine 

In  equal  glory  ever  shine. 

And  thence  in  this  fair  world  of  ours 

With  high-born  intellectual  powers, 

A  chorus  now  of  deathless  kings 

The  Triune  glory  ever  sings. 

And  near  the  Fount  of  Love  and  Truth 

Angelic  band  in  changeless  youth. 

Guided  by  holy  Wisdom's  mind. 

Immortal  wreath  of  beauty  find. 

But  some  with  dark  averted  eyes 

Fall  mindless  from  the  lofty  skies 

Downward  the  gloomy  depths  among. 

And  bring  the  higher  world  along ; 

Down,  down  to  Matter's  utmost  bound. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  69 

Where,  settling  in  the  depth  profound. 
Nature  assigns  them  birth  and  place, 
A  godlike,  though  God-fallen,  race. 

Hence  giant  heroes  took  their  birth, 

The  mighty  conquerors  of  earth ; 

And  hence  Breath  sown  o'er  all  the  ground 

Each  varying  type  of  life  hath  found. 

But  all  things  to  thy  counsel  hold, 

Things  past,  or  present,  new  or  old : 

Whate'er  we  have,  whate'er  we  share. 

Of  all  from  thee  the  sources  are. 

The  Father  and  the  Mother  thou, 

Male,  female,  unto  thee  we  bow: 

Or  voice  be  heard,  or  all  be  still, 

'Tis  just  as  ordered  by  thy  will. 

And  thou  or  Nature  thyself  art. 

Or  Nature  is  thy  counterpart : 

And  thou  art  King ;  and  ages  all 

Within  thine  age  unmeasured  fall. 

May  I  my  song  aright  renew, 

O  thou,  the  Root  whence  all  things  grew ! 

Hail !   thou,  the  world's  Original ; 

Hail !  thou,  the  Spring,  First  Cause  of  all. 

All  numbers  blending  into  one. 

The  Uncreated,  God  alone ! 

All  hail,  all  hail,  thou  One  Divine ! 

All  joy,  all  happiness  be  thine! 

Bend  thou,  O  bend  propitious  ear, 

And  this  my  hymn  of  praises  hear, 

Speed  on  true  Wisdom's  opening  day. 

Pour  blessings  down  in  rich  array: 

Yea,  grace-distilling  streams  pour  down. 

That  I  may  win  contentment's  crown 

In  life's  sweet  calm ;   the  happy  mean 


70  HYMNS    AND   POETRY    OF 

Give  me,  riches  and  want  between. 
Off  from  my  limbs  diseases  ward, 
My  soul  from  stormy  passions  guard: 
Let  no  dark  thoughts  my  steps  attend : 
My  life  from  biting  cares  defend; 
Lest  mind,  borne  down  by  earthly  ill, 
To  soar  should  find  nor  time  nor  will. 
But  grant  me  with  free  wing  to  rise, 
And  join  the  chorus  of  the  skies. 
And  thee  with  thine  forever  sing 
The  glories  of  my  God  and  King ! 

Ill 

"Aye  fioc,  ipvxa 
Of  this  ode,  which  has  734  lines,  we  subjoin  the 
first  lines  in  Chatfield's  version: 
Lift  up  thyself,  my  soul, 
Above  this  world's  control ! 
Spend  and  be  spent  in  holy  hymns  of  praise. 
Be  armed  with  pure  desire, 
Burn  with  celestial  fire: 
Unto  the  King  of  gods  our  voice  we  raise : 
To  him  a  crown  we  weave,  and  bring 
A  sacrifice  of  words,  a  bloodless  offering. 

IV 

This,  too,  is  a  lengthy  ode  (299  lines).     We  sub- 
join the  first  lines  in  Chatfield's  version: 

To  Thee  at  evening  gray. 
To  thee  at  growth  of  day. 
To  thee  at  noon,  to  thee  at  vesper  hour, 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  7x 

And  when  now  fades  the  light. 

And  poured  forth  is  the  night 
(Both  night  and  day  are  thine,  and  show  thy  power), 

I  sing,  O  Healer  of  the  Soul, 
And  of  the  body  too :  thou  only  mak'st  it  whole. 

V 

"Tfivcofiev  Kovgov  vvfiipag 

We  give  this  "Hymn  to  Christ"  in  full  accord- 
ing to  Chatfield's  rendering: 

Awake,  our  lute,  the  Child  to  sing 

Of  bride  unwedded,  holy  maid; 
True  Son  of  the  Eternal  King, 

Ere  earth's  foundations  yet  were  laid. 

Ineffable  thy  counsels,  Lord, 
Father  of  all,  by  which  was  born 

The  Christ!  a  virgin's  throes  afford 
The  Light  of  Life  to  world  forlorn ! 

A  Man !  and  yet  of  ages  gone. 

And  of  all  ages  yet  to  come. 
Throughout  eternity,  the  One 

Upholder,  Perfecter,  and  Sun. 

Thyself,  O  Christ,  art  Fount  of  Light, 
Light  of  the  Father's  Light,  bright  Ray ! 

Dark  matter  thou  didst  burst ;  and  night 
To  holy  souls  thou  turn'st  to  day. 

Yea !  Founder  of  the  world  thou  art, 
And  molder  of  each  starry  sphere : 

To  earth  her  spurs  thou  dost  impart; 
While  men  hail  thee  their  Saviour  dear. 


72  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

For  thee  his  chariot  Titan  drives, 

The  quenchless  fount  of  morning  light. 

From  thee  the  bull-faced  moon  derives 
Her  power  to  loose  the  gloom  of  night. 

By  thee  the  year  w^ith  fruit  is  crowned : 
By  thee  the  flocks  and  herds  are  fed : 

Productive  thou  dost  make  the  ground ; 
And  to  the  poor  thou  givest  bread. 

For  thou  from  thine  o'erflowing  store 

Of  grace  ineffable  and  love. 
O'er  surface  of  all  worlds  dost  pour 

The  fertile  sunshine  from  above. 

And  from  thy  bosom  forth  did  spring 
To  life  both  light,  and  mind,  and  soul : 

O  pity  then  thine  own  offspring 
Imprisoned  under  hard  control. 

By  mortal  Hmbs,  by  flesh  and  blood. 
Coerced,  and  measures  stern  of  fate : 

O  save  thine  own,  thou  great  and  good. 
Nor  let  sick  mind  sick  body  hate ! 

Persuasion  to  my  words  nod  thou. 
And  to  my  deeds  such  honest  fame. 

That  truth  I  never  disavow, 

Nor  Sparta,  nor  Cyrene  shame ! 

But  may  my  soul,  unbowed  by  grief, 
Draw  all  her  nourishment  from  thee. 

Stretching  both  eyes,  in  calm  relief, 
Up  to  thy  light,  from  sorrow  free  ! 

That,  cleansed  from  dregs  of  worldly  soil, 
I  may  by  straight  course  upward  mount, 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  73 

And  'scaping  from  earth's  care  and  toil, 
Be  mingled  with  the  soul's  own  fount ! 

Life  such  of  pure  content  and  praise. 
Do  thou  to  thy  poor  harper  grant, 

While  still  to  thee  the  hymn  I  raise. 
And  glory  to  the  Father  chant. 

And  Spirit,  mid-enthroned  compeer, 
The  Parent  Root  and  Branch  between! 

Be  such  on  earth  my  bright  career. 
Nor  sin  nor  sorrow  intervene; 

Until  within  the  courts  above. 

The  travail  of  my  soul  shall  cease, 

Still  singing  hymns  of  heavenly  love 
In  glory  and  in  perfect  peace. 

Thee,  thee,  the  Fount  of  love,  we  bless, 
O  Father,  rock  and  strength  of  thine ; 

And  thee  alike,  his  form  express. 
And  seal,  all  beauty.  Son  Divine. 

And  Holy  Breath,  of  both  the  crown. 
Whose  quickening  gifts  like  billows  roll : 

Thou  with  the  Father,  send  him  down 
To  cheer  and  fertilize  my  soul ! 

VI 

Merd,  Trayag  &yiag 

This  ode  runs  in  Chatfield's  version: 

Thee,  with  the  holy  self-sprung  Fount,  we  sing 
Who  art  from  all  eternity  great  King, 
God  and  of  God,  immortal,  glorious  One, 
The  only  Father's  true  and  only  Son ! 


74  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

To  thee,  with  him,  our  praises  all  belong; 

Thee  will  we  crown  with  choicest  flowers  of  song. 

Son  of  the  Father,  thou  by  birth  divine  ! 

In  thee  all  bright  the  Father's  glories  shine. 

And  from  the  Father  and  through  thee,  behold ! 

The  Spirit  issues — mystery  threefold! 

And  takes  the  middle  place  of  light  and  mind. 

In  Trinity  and  Unity  combined. 

Poured  was  the  sacred  Fountain  into  thee ; 

Yet  One  it  was,  and  is  eternally. 

The  Father's  Wisdom,  Mind,  and  beauteous  Ray, 

Eternal  Son,  thou  dost  to  all  display. 

Of  hidden  Deity  the  outstanding  light. 

In  thee  the  purposes  divine  are  bright; 

For  thus  the  Eternal  Father  did  decree. 

That  thou  Beginning  to  all  worlds  shouldst  be; 

And  bring  to  bodies  shape  and  form  combined 

With  powers,  from  highest  source,  of  thought  and  mind. 

The  orb  of  heaven  in  wisdom  thou  dost  guide. 

And  shepherd  o'er  the  flock  of  stars  preside. 

Thou  leader  art  of  angels'  choir  and  band; 

Thou  dost  the  phalanx  of  God's  hosts  command. 

And  thou  too  dost  the  mortal  race  befriend. 

And  all  their  paths  and  wandering  steps  attend. 

The  Spirit  undivided  thou  dost  spread 

O'er  earth,  and  gather  back  to  fountain-head 

Thy  gifts  unwasted;   for  thou  dost  unchain 

Death's  captives,  bringing  them  to  life  again. 

Accept,  my  King,  this  wreath  of  hymns  from  me; 

And  O  !   propitious  to  thy  servant  be ! 

Grant  thou  calm  life ;  and  stay  the  wandering  tide, 

And  bid  the  flood  through  worldly  straits  subside ; 

From  soul  and  limbs  diseases  dire  repel; 

And  all  pernicious  rush  of  passions  quell. 

Or  wealth  or  poverty  extreme  foresend; 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  75 

And  to  just  deeds  fame  honorable  send. 

Among  the  people  good  report  accord; 

And  with  persuasion  crown  the  gentle  word; 

That  waveless  thus  my  mind  may  reap  repose. 

And  I  ne'er  groan  oppressed  with  earth's  dark  woes ; 

But  watered  from  thy  heavenly-flowing  rill, 

My  mind  I  may  with  wisdom's  produce  fill. 

VII 
IlgoiTog  vofiov  evponav 
This  ode,  which  is  a  "Hymn  to  Christ,"  we  give 
in  Mrs.  Browning's  rendering: 

O  my  deathless,  O  my  blessed. 
Maid-born,  glorious  son  confessed, 

0  my  Christ  of  Solyma ! 

1  who  earliest  learnt  to  play 

This  measure  for  thee,  fain  would  bring 
Its  new  sweet  tune  to  citern-string — 
Be  propitious,  O  my  King! 
Take  this  music  which  is  mine 
Anthemed  from  the  songs  divine ! 

We  will  sing  thee,  deathless  One, 
God  himself  and  God's  great  Son — ■ 
Of  sire  of  endless  generations. 
Son  of  manifold  creations  ! 
Nature  mutually  endued. 
Wisdom  in  infinitude ! 
God,  before  the  angels  burning — 
Corpse,  among  the  mortals  mourning  1 
What  time  thou  wast  poured  mild 
From  an  earthly  vase  defiled, 
Magi  with  fair  arts  besprent. 
At  thy  new  star's  orient, 


76  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Trembled  inly,  wondered  wild. 

Questioned  with  their  thoughts  abroad — 

"What  then  is  the  newborn  child? 

Who  the  hidden  God? 

God,  or  corpse,  or  king? 

Bring  your  gifts,  oh,  hither  bring 

Myrrh  for  rite — for  tribute,  gold — 

Frankincense  for  sacrifice ! 

God !  thine  incense  take  and  hold ! 

King !  I  bring  thee  gold  of  price ! 

Myrrh  with  tomb  will  harmonize !" 

For  thou,  entombed,  hast  purified 
Earthly  ground  and  rolling  tide. 
And  the  path  of  demon  nations. 
And  the  free  air's  fluctuations. 
And  the  depth  below  the  deep ! 
Thou  God,  helper  of  the  dead. 
Low  as  Hades  didst  thou  tread! 
Thou  King,  gracious  aspect  keep. 
Take  this  music  which  is  mine. 
Anthemed  from  the  songs  divine. 

VIII 

'Ttto  Scjpiov  apfioyav 

This  ode  in  Chatfield's  translation  reads  thus: 

0  !  'tis  no  theme  of  common  things 
That  wakes  my  ivory-fastened  strings ! 
To  thee,  in  solemn  Dorian  strain, 

1  lift  my  heart  and  voice  amain, 
O  blessed,  O  immortal  One, 
The  holy  Virgin's  glorious  Son ! 
But,  O  great  King,  save  thou  my  life 
From  cares  and  woes  and  worldly  strife, 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  77 

That  from  calamity  all  free 

Both  night  and  day  I  may  praise  thee. 

And  to  my  mind  mayst  thou  convey 

From  mind's  own  fount,  a  clear  bright  ray. 

Unto  my  youth  mayst  thou  impart 

Soundness  of  limbs  and  manly  heart : 

And  may  my  deeds  reflect  thy  light 

In  honor,  truth,  and  glory  bright. 

And  on  the  ripeness  of  mine  age 

Mayst  thou  the  wisdom  of  the  sage 

Bestow,  with  health,  the  blessed  mead 

Of  harvest  rich  from  well-sown  seed. 

And  on  that  darling  son  of  mine 

May  thy  preserving  mercy  shine, 

Whom  when  just  passing  gate  of  death. 

Thou  didst  restore  to  vital  breath. 

O  Lord  of  life,  'twas  thou  didst  wrench 

From  Death's  firm  grasp,  his  prey,  and  quench 

My  burning  grief  in  floods  of  joy; 

For  thou  didst  give  me  back  my  boy ; 

And  tears,  O  Father,  thou  did'st  dry. 

In  answer  to  thy  suppliant's  cry ! 

May  son  and  daughter,  much  loved  pair. 

Thy  kind  protection  ever  share. 

And  all  my  house,  in  happy  calm. 

Be  sheltered  by  thine  hand  from  harm ! 

And,  O  my  Saviour  King,  bless  thou 

The  partner  of  my  wedded  vow; 

From  sickness  and  from  sorrow  free. 

Faithful,  one-minded,  may  she  be. 

Preserved  by  thee  from  thought  of  sin, 

All  bright  without,  all  pure  within ! 

Untouched  by  roving  passions'  tide. 

My  honored  wife,  my  love,  my  pride ! 

Loose  thou  my  soul  from  baneful  chains 


78  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Of  worldly  life,  its  cares  and  pains, 
And  floods  of  dismal  grief  and  woe. 
Which  overwhelm  this  earth  below. 
O !   thus  prepared  may  I  be  found 
With  holy  worshipers  around 
To  lead  the  choir,  and  chants  to  raise 
To  thy  all-glorious  Father's  praise ; 
And  to  thy  majesty,  great  King, 
Loud  hymns  again  I  hope  to  sing; 
Again  in  voice  of  praise  thy  name 
To  bless,  thy  honors  to  proclaim ; 
May  be,  my  harp  I  shall  again 
Tune  all  unhurt  to  highest  strain. 

IX 

UoXvTJgare,  KvSifis 
This  ode  Mrs.  Browning  thus  rendered : 

Well-beloved  and  glory-laden. 

Born  of  Solyma's  pure  maiden ! 

I  would  hymn  thee,  blessed  Warden, 

Driving  from  thy  Father's  garden 

Blinking  serpent's  crafty  lust. 

With  his  bruised  head  in  the  dust ! 

Down  thou  camest,  low  as  earth. 

Bound  to  those  of  mortal  birth; 

Down  thou  camest,  low  as  hell. 

Where  shepherd-Death  did  tend  and  keep 

A  thousand  nations  like  to  sheep. 

While  weak  with  age  old  Hades  fell 

Shivering  through  his  dark  to  view  thee. 

And  the  Dog  did  backward  yell 

With  jaws  all  gory  to  let  through  thee ! 

So,  redeeming  from  their  pain 

Choirs  of  disembodied  ones, 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  79 

Thou  didst  lead  whom  thou  didst  gather, 

Upward  in  ascent  again. 

With  a  great  hymn  to  the  Father 

Upward  to  the  pure  white  thrones  ! 

King,  the  demon  tribes  of  air 

Shuddered  back  to  feel  thee  there ! 

And  the  holy  stars  stood  breathless. 

Trembling  in  their  chorus  deathless; 

A  low  laughter  filled  sether — 

Harmony's  most  subtle  sire 

From  the  seven  strings  of  his  lyre. 

Stroked  a  measured  music  hither-^ 

lo  paean !  victory  ! 

Smiled  the  star  of  morning — he 

Who  smileth  to  foreshow  the  day ! 

Smiled  Hesperus  the  golden, 

Who  smileth  soft  for  Venus  gay  ! 

While  that  horned  glory  holden 

Brimful  from  the  fount  of  fire, 

The  white  moon,  was  leading  higher 

In  a  gentle  pastoral  wise 

All  the  nightly  deities ! 

Yea,  and  Titan  threw  abroad 

The  far  shining  of  his  hair 

'Neath  thy  footsteps  holy-fair. 

Owning  thee  the  Son  of  God ; 

The  Mind  artificer  of  all, 

And  his  own  fire's  original ! 

And  thou  upon  thy  wing  of  will 
Mounting, — thy  God-foot  up  till 
The  neck  of  the  blue  firmament, — 
Soaring,  didst  alight  content 
Where  the  spirit-spheres  were  singing, 
And  the  fount  of  good  was  springing. 


8o  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

In  the  silent  heaven ! 

Where  Time  is  not  with  his  tide 

Ever  running,  never  weary. 

Drawing  earthborn  things  aside 

Against  the  rocks ;   nor  yet  are  given 

The  plagues  death-bold  that  ride  the  dreary 

Tost  matter-depths.    Eternity 

Assumes  the  places  which  they  yield ! 

Not  aged,  howsoe'er  she  held 

Her  crown  from  everlastingly — 

At  once  of  youth,  at  once  of  eld. 

While  in  that  mansion  which  is  hers, 

To  God  and  gods  she  ministers ! 

"How  the  poet,"  remarks  Mrs.  Browning,  "rises 
in  his  'singing  clothes'  embroidered  all  over  with 
the  mythos  and  the  philosophy!  Yet  his  eye  is 
to  the  Throne:  and  we  must  not  call  him  half  a 
heathen  by  reason  of  a  Platonic  idiosyncrasy, 
seeing  that  the  esoteric  of  the  most  suspicious 
turnings  of  his  phraseology  is  'Glory  to  the  true 
God.'  " 

X 
Mvweo  Xpiari 

This  ode  to  Christ  is  the  last  and  shortest,  and 
since,  as  Bonar  remarks,  Mr.  Chatfield  has  taken 
great  liberty  with  it,  we  give  it  in  the  version  of 
Williams,  who  has  preserved  its  simplicity  and 
brevity  and  is  quoted  by  Bonar : 

Christ  the  Son 

Of  God  Most  High, 
Look  on  me,  thy  suppliant  one, 

With  pitying  eye. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  8i 

Look  on  me  with  sorrow  smitten, 
Look  on  me  who  these  has  Avritten. 
Grant  me  to  see  thee, 

Jesus  blest. 

In  thine  own  light  made  manifest. 
If  in  thy  glory  clear 
Even  such  as  I  might  e'er  appear. 
Thee  will  I  speak  in  holy  hymn ; 
Thou  healer  of  the  soul  and  limb; 
And  I  in  thee  may  find  my  rest, 
With  Father  and  with  Spirit  blest. 

"In  some  things,"  Bonar  remarks,  Synesius 
"has  sung  well  and  written  truly.  Yet  it  was  not 
altogether  without  reason  that  Mosheim  called 
him  a  semi-Christian,  though  the  expression  is  a 
hard  one.  His  Neo-Platonism  tinged  his  Chris- 
tianity, and  called  forth  from  Gibbon  the  question- 
ably eulogistic  title  of  'the  philosophic  bishop.'  " 


Bpbraem  tbe  Si^ttan 

(Died  A.  D.  379) 
From  a  chronological  standpoint  we  should 
have  mentioned  Ephraem  before ;  but  we  preferred 
to  put  the  Greek  poets  together  who  represented, 
so  to  speak,  the  period  of  formation  of  the  Greek 
Church  poetry,  looked  upon  with  prejudice  at 
first  because  the  Arians  and  ApoUinarians  em- 
ployed religious  poetry  and  music  as  a  popular 
means  of  commending  and  propagating  their 
errors,  and  thereby  brought  discredit  upon  these 


82  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

arts.  But  while  the  prejudice  was  gradually 
overcome,  yet  none  of  the  poetical  productions 
mentioned  before  passed  into  the  use  of  the 
Church,  owing  to  their  speculative  theological  and 
philosophical  character  and  want  of  popular 
spirit. 

Different,  however,  was  it  with  the  Syrian 
Church.  It  was  the  first  of  all  the  Oriental 
churches  to  produce  and  admit  into  public  worship 
a  popular  orthodox  poetry,  and  this  was  success- 
fully done  by  Ephraem  the  Syrian,  "the  guitar  of 
the  Holy  Ghost."  Famous  as  is  Ephraem  as  a 
hymn  writer,  yet  he  is  not  the  first  hymnologist  of 
the  Syrian  Church.  In  this  respect  the  palm  be- 
longs to  the  celebrated  Gnostic  Bardesanes,  who 
flourished  in  the  second  half  of  the  second  cen- 
tury. In  this  he  is  in  some  degree  supported  by 
Ephraem  in  his  "Fifty-third  Homily  against 
Heretics"  (ii,  553),  where,  although  he  does  not 
actually  assert  that  Bardesanes  was  the  inventor 
of  measures,  yet  he  speaks  of  him  in  terms  which 
show  that  he  not  only  wrote  hymns,  but  also  im- 
plies that  at  least  he  revived  and  brought  into 
fashion  a  taste  for  hjminology : 

For  these  things  Bardesanes 

Uttered  in  his  writings. 

He  composed  odes, 

And  mingled  them  with  music; 

He  harmonized  psalms 

And  introduced  measures — 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  83 

By  measures  and  balances 

He  divided  words. 

He  thus  concealed  for  the  simple 

The  bitter  with  the  sweet ; 

For  the  sickly  do  not  prefer 

Food  which  is  wholesome. 

He  sought  to  imitate  David, 

To  adorn  himself  with  his  beauty, 

So  that  he  might  be  praised  by  the  likeness. 

He  therefore  set  in  order 

Psalms  one  hundred  and  fifty, 

But  he  deserted  the  truth  of  David, 

And  only  imitated  his  numbers. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  of  the  hymns  of  Barde- 
sanes — which,  it  appears,  in  consequence  of  their 
high  poetic  merit,  exercised  an  extensive  influence 
over  the  reHgious  opinions  of  the  age  in  which  he 
lived,  and  yet  gave  so  much  strength  and  popu- 
larity to  his  Gnostic  errors — a  very  few  fragments 
remain,^  These  fragments  are  to  be  found  scat- 
tered through  the  works  of  Ephraem.  Says  Hahn 
("Bardesanus  Gnosticus  Syrorum  Primus  Hym- 
nologus,"  Lipsiae,  1819,  p.  28):  "Gnosticism  itself 
is  poetry ;  it  is  not,  therefore,  wonderful  that  among 
its  votaries  true  poets  should  have  been  found. 
TertuUian  mentions  the  psalms  of  Valentinus ;  and 
Marcus,  his  disciple,  a  cotemporary  of  Bardesanes, 
inculcated  his  Gnosticism  in  a  song  in  which  he 
introduced  the  .^ons  conversing." 

1  It  is  possible  that  the  hymns  preserved  in  the  apocryphal  Acts 
of  Thomas  are  his. 


84  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Harmonius,  the  son  of  Bardesanes,  stands  next 
in  the  history  of  this  subject,  both  chronologically 
and  for  his  successful  cultivation  of  sacred  poetry. 
He  was  educated  in  the  language  and  wisdom  of 
Greece,  and  there  can  be  no  question  that  he 
would  make  his  knowledge  of  the  exquisite  met- 
rical compositions  of  that  literature  bear  on  the 
improvement  of  his  own.  This  is  said  on  the 
presumption  that  the  accounts  of  the  ecclesiastical 
historian  Sozomen  and  Theodoret  are  credible. 
The  former  states  ("Hist.  Eccles.,"  lib,  iii,  c.  i6) 
that  "Harmonius,  the  son  of  Bardesanes,  having 
been  well  educated  in  Grecian  literature,  was  the 
first  who  subjected  his  native  language  to  meters 
and  musical  laws  (jrgcbrov  fxerpoig  Koi  vo^oig  fiovoiKolg 
rrjv  TrdTQiov  cpcovriv  vnayayelv) ,  and  adapted  it  tO 
choirs  of  singers,  as  the  Syrians  now  commonly 
chant — not,  indeed,  using  the  writings  of  Har- 
monius, but  his  numbers  (toI^  fxsXeai) ;  for,  not 
being  altogether  free  from  his  father's  heresy  and 
the  things  which  the  Grecian  philosophers  boasted 
of  concerning  the  soul,  the  body,  and  regenera- 
tion (TTaXiyyeveaiag) ,  having  set  these  to  music,  he 
united  them  with  his  own  writings."  The  notice 
of  Theodoret  ("Hist,  Eccles.")  is  yet  more  brief. 
He  says  (lib.  iv,  c.  29):  "And  since  Harmonius, 
the  son  of  Bardesanes,  had  formerly  composed 
certain  songs,  and,  mingling  his  impiety  with  the 
sweetness  of  music,  enticed  his  hearers  and  allured 
them  to  destruction,  having  taken  from  him  met- 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  85 

rical  harmony  (r^v  agiioviav  tov  fieXovg),  Ephraem 
mixed  godliness  with  it."  This  statement  is  not 
confirmed  by  Ephraem,  who  attributes  to  the 
father  what  the  Greek  historians  ascribe  to  the 
son.  Hahn  admits,  without  any  expressed  hesi- 
tation, the  testimony  of  the  Greek  historians, 
their  mistake  as  to  the  invention  of  the  meters 
excepted,  and  ingeniously  traces  to  Harmonius 
certain  features  of  the  Syriac  poetry  ("Ueber  den 
Gesang  in  der  syrischen  Kirche,"  p.  61). 

Before  Ephraem,  according  to  the  catalogue  of 
Ebedjesu,  lived  Simeon,  bishop  of  Seleucia,  who 
suffered  martyrdom  about  the  year  296.  Two  of 
his  hymns  are,  according  to  Assemani,  to  be  found 
in  the  sacred  offices  of  the  Chaldaeans. 

The  greatest  of  all  hymn  writers  whose  works 
are  extant,  and  whose  hymns  have  been  trans- 
lated into  German  as  well  as  into  English,  was 
Ephraem  Syrus.  His  hymns  are  regarded  by 
critics  as  among  the  finest  of  the  Eastern  Church, 
being  characterized  by  deep  devotional  feeling, 
and  force  and  beauty  of  imagery.  "They  seem 
remarkable  for  childlike  simplicity  and  much  ten- 
derness of  natural  feeling.  There  is  a  simple 
joyousness  about  his  thanksgivings.  He  seems 
to  have  loved  to  dwell  on  such  themes  as  the 
infancy  of  the  Saviour,  the  hosannas  of  the 
children,  the  happiness  of  those  who  died  in 
childhood"  C*The  Voice  of  Christian  Life  in 
Song,"  p.  46). 


86  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

On  the  Nativity  of  Our  Lord 

(Translated  from  the  German  of  Zingerle  by  S.  W.  Duffield,  in 
"Latin  Hymn  Writers,"  p.  8.) 

Into  his  arms  with  tender  love 

Did  Joseph  take  his  holy  Son, 
And  worshiped  him   as   God,  and  saw 

The  babe  like  any  little  one. 
His  heart  rejoiced  above  him  there, 

For  now  the  only  God  had  birth; 
And  pious  fear  upon  him  came 

Before  this  Judge  of  all  the  earth. 
Ah,  what  a  lofty  wonder ! 

Who  gave  me  then  this  precious  Son 

Of  highest  God,  to  be  my  child  ? 
For  I  against  thy  mother  here 

Had  almost  been  by  zeal  beguiled ; 
And  I  had  thought  to  cast  her  off — 

Alas,  I  saw  not  truly  then 
How  in  her  bosom  she  should  bear 

The  costliest  treasure  known  to  men, 
To  make  my  poverty,  so  soon, 

The  richest  lot  in  mortal  ken ! 

David,  that  king  of  ancient  days. 

My  ancestor,  had  placed  the  crown 
On  his  own  head,  and  there  it  lay ; 

But  I  sank  deep  and  further  down ; 
I  was  no  king,  but  in  its  stead 

A  carpenter,  and  that  alone. 
But  now  may  crown  my  brow  again 

That  which  befits  a  kingly  throne, 
For  here  upon  my  bosom  lies 

The  Lord  of  lords,  my  very  own ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  87 

The  following  specimens,  when  not  otherwise 
stated,  we  subjoin  from  "The  Voice  of  Christian 
Life  in  Song": 

Epiphany 

A  Star  shines  forth  in  heaven  suddenly, 
A  wondrous  orb,  less  than  the  sun,  yet  greater, — 
Less  in  its  outward  light,  but  greater  in 
Its  inward  glory,  pointing  to  a  mystery : 
That  morning  star  sent  forth  its  beams  afar 
Into  the  land  of  those  who  had  no  hght ; 
Led  them  as  bUnd  men,  by  a  way  they  knew  not. 
Until  they  came  and  saw  the  Light  of  men. 
Offered  their  gifts,  received  eternal  life. 
Worshiped,  and  went  their  way. 
Thus  had  the  Son  two  heralds,  one  on  high. 
And  one  below.    Above,  the  star  rejoiced ; 
Below,  the  Baptist  bore  him  record: 
Two  heralds  thus,  one  heavenly,  one  of  earth ; 
That  witnessing  the  nature  of  the  Son, 
The  majesty  of  God,  and  this,  his  human  nature. 
O  mighty  wonder  !  thus  were  they  the  heralds, 
Both  of  his  Godhead  and  his  manhood. 
Who  held  him  only  for  a  son  of  earth. 
To  such  the  star  proclaimed  his  heavenly  glory ; 
Who  held  him  only  for  a  heavenly  spirit. 
To  such  the  Baptist  spoke  of  him  as  man. 
And  in  the  holy  temple  Simeon  held  the  Babe 
Fast  in  his  aged  arms,  and  sang  to  him, — 
*'To  me,  in  thy  mercy. 

An  old  man,  thou  art  come; 
Thou  layest  my  body 

In  peace  in  the  tomb. 
Thou  soon  wilt  awake  me. 

And  bid  me  arise ; 


88  HYMNS   AND    POETRY   OF 

Wilt  lead  me  transfigured 
To  paradise." 
Then  Anna  took  the  Babe  upon  her  arms, 
And  pressed  her  mouth  upon  his  infant  lips ; 
Then  came  the  Holy  Spirit  on  her  lips, 
As  erst  upon  Isaiah's,  when  the  coal 
Had  touched  his  silent  lips,  and  opened  them : 
With  glowing  heart  she  sang, — 
"O  Son  of  the  King ! 

Though  thy  birthplace  was  mean, 
All-hearing,  yet  silent. 

All-seeing,  unseen, 
Unknown,  yet  all-knowing, 
God,  and  yet  Son  of  man, 
Praise  to  thy  name !" 

On  Palm  Sunday 

Salem  is  shouting  with  her  children, 
Praise  Him  who  comes,  and  is  to  come, 

Hosanna,  here  and  in  the  highest. 
Be  to  the  Father's  mighty  Son. 

Praise  him  who  once  himself  did  humble 
In  love  to  save  our  human  race ; 

Praise  him  who  all  the  world  doth  gladden 
With  God  his  Father's  boundless  grace. 

O  Lord,  who  would  not  gaze  and  wonder 
To  see  how  low  has  stooped  thy  love ! 

The  cherubim  on  fiery  chariots 
Thy  glory  humbly  bear  above. 

And  here  an  ass's  foal  doth  bear  thee. 
Thee  in  thy  might  and  holiness. 

Because  thou  earnest  in  thy  pity 
Our  fallen  race  to  serve  and  bless. 


THE    EASTERN    CHURCH  89 

This  day  of  joy  to  all  creation. 

My  happy  soul  shall  have  her  psalm. 

And  bear  her  branches  of  thanksgiving, 
As  those  bore  branches  once  of  palm. 

Before  the  foal  the  children  strewed  them, 

Owning  thy  hidden  majesty; 
Hosanna  to  the  Son  of  David, 

We  with  the  children  cry  to  thee. 

The  Children  in  Paradise 

To  thee,  O  God,  be  praises 
From  lips  of  babes  and  sucklings, 
As  in  the  heavenly  meadows 
Like  spotless  lambs  they  feed. 

'Mid  leafy  trees  they  pasture. 
Thus  saith  the  Blessed  Spirit; 
And  Gabriel,  prince  of  angels. 
That  happy  flock  doth  lead. 

The  messengers  of  heaven. 
With  sons  of  light  united. 
In  purest  regions  dwelling. 
No  curse  or  woe  they  see. 

And  at  the  resurrection, 
With  joy  arise  their  bodies; 
Their  spirits  knew  no  bondage. 
Their  bodies  now  are  free. 

Brief  here  below  their  sojourn. 
Their  dwelling  is  in  Eden, 
And  one  bright  day  their  parents 
Hope  yet  with  them  to  be. 


go  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

On  the  Triumphal  Entry  of  Jesus  into 
Jerusalem 

He  calls  us  to  a  day  of  gladness, 

Who  came  to  us,  the  King's  own  Son ; 

Go  forth  with  boughs  of  palm  to  meet  him, 
And  him  with  loud  hosannas  own. 

The  angels  are  with  us  rejoicing. 
Angelic  trumpets  swell  our  song. 

All  nations  in  one  joy  uniting, 
Hosanna  sounds  in  every  tongue. 

To  thee,  O  Lord,  loud  praise  ascendeth. 
From  every  creature  in  its  kind ; 

Thee,  with  an  awed  and  quiv'ring  motion, 
Exalteth  every  waving  wind. 

The  heavens  in  their  quiet  beauty 

Praise  thy  essential  majesty; 
The  heights  rejoice  from  which  thou  earnest. 

The  depths  spring  up  to  welcome  thee. 

The  sea  exults  to  feel  thy  footsteps, 

The  land  thy  tread,  Lord,  knoweth  well ; 

Our  human  nature  brings  thanksgivings 
Because  thy  Godhead  there  doth  dwell. 

To-day  the  sun  rejoicing  shineth, 
With  happy  radiance  tenfold  bright. 

In  homage  to  that  Sun  of  glory 
Which  brings  to  all  the  nations  light. 

The  moon  shall  shed  her  fairest  luster. 
O'er  all  the  heavens  her  softest  glow. 

Thee  on  her  radiant  heights  adoring, 
Who  for  our  sakes  hast  stooped  so  low. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  91 

And  all  the  starry  hosts  of  heaven. 

In  festive  robes  of  light  arrayed. 
Shall  bring  their  festal  hymns  as  offerings 

To  Him  who  all  so  fair  hath  made. 

To-day  the  forests  are  rejoicing, 

Each  tree  its  own  sweet  anthem  sings, 

Because  we  wave  their  leafy  branches 
As  banners  for  the  King  of  kings. 

To-day  let  all  the  brute  creation. 

Rejoicing,  be  no  longer  dumb, 
For  lowly  on  the  foal  he  sitteth, 

The  Heavenly  One  to  us  hath  come. 

Let  every  village,  every  city. 

In  happy  tumult  sing  his  name. 
Since  even  infant  lips  are  shouting, 

"Blessed  is  he,  the  King  who  came !" 


Lament  of  a  Father  on  the  Death  of  His 
Little  Son 

Child,  by  God's  sweet  mercy  given 
To  thy  mother  and  to  me. 
Entering  this  world  of  sorrows 
By  his  grace,  so  fair  to  see ; 
Fair  as  some  sweet  flower  in  summer. 
Till  death's  hand  on  thee  was  laid. 
Scorched  the  beauty  from  my  flower, 
Made  the  tender  petals  fade. 
Yet  I  dare  not  weep  nor  murmur. 
For  I  know  the  King  of  kings 
Leads  thee  to  his  marriage  chamber. 
To  the  glorious  bridal  brings. 


92  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

Nature  fain  would  have  me  weeping, 
Love  asserts  her  mournful  right ; 
But  I  answer,  they  have  brought  thee 
To  the  happy  world  of  light. 
And  I  fear  that  my  lamentings. 
As  I  speak  thy  cherished  name. 
Desecrate  the  royal  dwelling; — 
Fear  to  meet  deserved  blame. 
If  I  press  with  tears  of  anguish 
Into  the  abode  of  joy; 
Therefore  will  I,  meekly  bowing. 
Offer  thee  to  God,  my  boy. 

Yet  thy  voice,  thy  childish  singing, 
Soundeth  ever  in  my  ears ; 
And  I  listen,  and  remember. 
Till  mine  eyes  will  gather  tears, 
Thinking  of  thy  pretty  prattlings. 
And  thy  childish  words  of  love ; 
But  when  I  begin  to  murmur, 
Then  my  spirit  looks  above. 
Listens  to  the  songs  of  spirits, — 
Listens,  longing,  wondering, 
To  the  ceaseless  glad  hosannas 
Angels  at  thy  bridal  sing. 

Christ  the  Companion  of  the  Disembodied 
Soul 

(Prom  Bxirgess,  "Hymns  and  Homilies,"  p.  41.) 
As  my  provision  for  my  journey,  I  have  taken  thee, 
O  thou  Son  of  God ! 

And  when  I  am  hungry  I  will  eat  of  thee. 
Thou  Saviour  of  the  world ! 
The  fire  will  keep  far  off  from  my  members, 
Perceiving  in  me  the  savor  of  thy  body  and  blood. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  93 

Baptism  shall  become  to  me 

A  ship  which  cannot  sink. 

And  I  shall  see  thee  there,  O  Lord, 

In  the  day  of  the  resurrection. 

I  was  living  in  my  place  of  sojourn 

(Thus  speaks  the  soul). 

But  the  Master  of  the  house  sent  to  me 

And  I  am  not  permitted  to  continue. 

The  messenger  thus  addressed  me : 

"Depart  from  the  house,  and  vacate  its  chambers !" 

0  my  body,  my  temporary  home, 
Remain  here  in  peace ! 

And  in  the  day  of  the  resurrection 

1  shall  see  thee  rejoicing. 

The  lictors  came  with  speed, 

But  I  was  ignorant  of  it; 

The  messenger  stood  at  the  door. 

But  I  did  not  perceive  him ; 

Deliver  me.  Lord,  from  the  judgment  of  the  devil, 

Who  hateth  thy  renowned  children ; 

And  with  thy  holy  ones  may  I  attain 

To  the  house  of  the  kingdom ; 

That  I  may  utter  a  song  of  praise, 

And  with  them  glorify  thee. 

How  bitter  is  this  cup 
Which  death  hath  mingled ! 
And  how  terrible  is  the  time. 
And  how  grievous  the  hour. 
Which  calleth  for  thee ! 
The  soul  saith  to  the  body, 
"Remain  thou  here  in  peace, 
O  much-loved  habitation, 
In  which  I  once  dwelt 
While  the  Lord  was  willing." 


94  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

How  saddened  is  the  sinner 

In  his  heart  at  that  hour, 

When  the  King  Messiah  shall  sit 

Upon  his  dreadful  judgment-seat; 

And  all  tribes  shall  stand  before  him. 

And  all  secrets  of  the  heart  shall  be  revealed. 

Terrible  is  the  tribunal ! 

Terrible  is  the  Judge,  and  that  season  ! 

Blessed  is  he  whom  thy  favor 

Shall  protect,  O  Lord! 


Sabbath  Hymn 

This  and  the  following  are  from  Bonar : 

Glory  to  the  glorious  One, 
Good  and  great,  our  God  alone, 
Who  this  day  hath  glorified. 
First  and  best  of  all  beside. 
Making  it,  for  every  clime. 
Of  all  times  the  sweetest  time. 

From  the  beginning,  day  of  days. 
Set  apart  for  holy  praise, 
When  he  bade  the  willing  earth 
All  its  hidden  stores  bring  forth. 
When  he  gave  the  shining  heaven. 
Then  to  man  this  day  was  given. 

On  this  day  the  Son  of  God 
Left  his  three-days'  dark  abode; 
In  the  greatness  of  his  might 
Rising  to  the  upper  light. 
On  this  day  the  Church  puts  on 
Glory,  beauty,  robe,  and  crown. 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  95 

On  this  day  of  days  the  Lord, 
Faithful  to  his  ancient  word, 
On  his  burning  chariot  borne. 
Shall  in  majesty  return. 
King  of  kings,  he  comes  in  might. 
From  his  heavenly  home  of  light. 

To  his  own  Jerusalem, 
Old  Judea's  brightest  gem. 
To  the  hill  of  Jebus,  see. 
King  Messiah,  cometh  he: 
With  his  cross  to  bless  and  save, 
.With  his  cross  to  spoil  the  grave. 

He  shall  speak  and  earth  shall  hear. 
Rending  rock  shall  quake  with  fear. 
And  the  waking  dead  shall  come 
From  the  silence  of  the  tomb. 
Shaken  heavens  and  shattered  earth 
Then  shall  rise  to  second  birth. 

To  the  kingdom  promised  long. 
With  its  shining  angel  throng, 
Righteous  vengeance  to  fulfill. 
Recompense  for  good  and  ill, 
Adam's  race  from  dust  to  call, 
Lo,  he  cometh,  Judge  of  all ! 

Then  the  glory  to  his  own ! 

Then  the  kingdom  and  the  crown ! 

Then  the  sinner's  hope  shall  close ! 

Then  begin  his  endless  woes ! 

Then  he  knocks,  but  knocks  in  vain — 

Who  shall  break  his  iron  chain  ? 


g6  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Earth  is  fleeing,  fleeing  fast. 
And  its  beauty  fades  at  last; 

0  beloved,  then,  awake, 
Bonds  of  carnal  slumber  break, 
Wake,  beloved,  watch  and  pray, 
While  remains  one  hour  of  day ! 

Death,  it  cometh — oh,  beware  ! 
Judgment  cometh — oh,  prepare  ! 
Steadfast,  steadfast  let  us  stand, 
For  the  Judge  is  nigh  at  hand; 
Steadfast  let  us  rest  each  night. 
Steadfast  wake  at  morning  light. 

Glory,  glory,  glory  be, 
Gracious  God  and  Lord,  to  thee  ! 
To  the  Father  and  the  Son, 
To  the  Spirit,  Three  in  One ; 
Thus  we  now  thy  mercy  praise. 
Thus  through  everlasting  days. 

Battle  Song  Against  Satan 

Jehovah,  judge  my  cause. 
Avenge  me  of  my  foe. 

Fight  against  Satan  and  his  host : 
Oh,  lay  the  strong  one  low  ! 

1  have  cast  off  his  yoke. 
Renounced  his  cursed  sway; 

For  this  he  doubly  hates,  and  longs 
To  seize  me  as  his  prey. 

To  thee,  and  to  thy  cross. 
For  help,  O  Lord,  I  flee ; — 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  97 

He  must  prevail,  if  thou  do  not, 
O  Lord,  deliver  me ! 


For  thou  hast  vanquished  him ! 

Let  him  not  conquer  me ; 
Put  him  to  shame,  O  Lord  my  God ; 

Give  me  the  victory. 

It  is  not  strength  that  vi^ins: 
My  weakness  is  my  shield; 

In  lowly  trust  we  fight  the  fight. 
And  meekness  wins  the  field. 

Give  me  the  lowly  heart, 

Cast  out  each  thought  of  pride, 

Let  gentleness  and  love  come  in, 
And  as  my  guests  abide. 

Thy  will,  not  mine,  be  done; 

I  would  not  choose  my  own ; 
But  let  me  ever,  ever  be 

Thy  servant.  Lord,  alone. 

Jesus,  to  thee  I  flee, 

Jesus,  thy  cross  I  clasp; 
Save  me  from  Satan's  hellish  power. 

Oh,  pluck  me  from  his  grasp. 

So  shall  I  praise  thee,  Lord, 
And  thy  great  name  adore. 

With  Father  and  with  Spirit  one, 
Forever,  evermore. 


gS  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

On  the  Death  of  Children 

(Translation  by  Burgess.) 

How  bitter  is  the  grief 
For  the  death  of  childhood ; 
How  grievous  the  separation 
Of  the  infant  from  its  mother: — 
Train  it  up,  Lord,  in  thy  dwelling! 

This  day  afflicts 

The  fathers  through  their  sons; 
And  death  now  breaks 
The  staff  of  their  old  age: — 
Lord,  may  they  lean  on  thee ! 

This  day  removes 
The  beloved  one  from  its  mother. 
And  cuts  off  the  arm 
Which  would  have  been  her  stay: — 
In  thee.  Lord,  may  she  trust ! 

This  day  separates 
The  little  one  from  its  parent, 
And  leaves  her  in  the  wilderness 
Of  suffering  and  grief : — 
Do  thou.  Lord,  comfort  her ! 

This  day  divides 

The  suckling  child  from  the  breast; 
And  the  mother  wails  and  grieves 
Because  her  intercourse  with  it  hath  perished; 
May  she  see  it  in  the  kingdom ! 

O  happy  infancy 
Which  hath  gained  paradise ! 
Alas !   for  old  age 
Which  still  remains  in  sorrow ! — 
Lord,  be  thou  its  helper! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  99 

Bnatolius 

(Died  A.  D.  458) 

With  Anatolius  of  Constantinople  a  new  period 
in  Greek  poetry  commences.  He  was  not  only 
the  first  to  renoimce  the  tyranny  of  the  classic 
meter  and  strike  out  a  new  path,  but  also  paved 
the  way  for  the  classical  period  of  Greek  Church 
poetry  which  is  contained  in  the  liturgical  books, 
especially  in  the  twelve  volumes  of  the  "Menasa," 
corresponding  to  the  Latin  Breviary,  and  which 
consists  for  the  most  part  of  poetic  or  half -poetic 
odes  in  rhythmic  prose.  But  before  we  speak  of 
Anatolius  it  will  be  necessary  to  explain  those 
hymnological  terms  which  were  used  among 
Greek  hymnists  and  which  will  often  recur  in  the 
following  pages. 

The  main  collection  of  hymns  is  contained  in 
the  so-called  "Menaea,"  which  contain  in  twelve 
volumes  (one  for  each  month)  the  daily  devotions. 
Besides  the  "Menasa"  we  have  the  "Paracletice," 
or  the  "Great  Octoechus,"  in  eight  parts  (for 
eight  weeks  and  Simdays),  and  the  small  "Oc- 
toechus," containing  the  Simday  services  of  the 
preceding  volume.  Another  collection  is  the 
"Triodion"  for  the  Lent  season,  and  the  "Pente- 
costarion"  for  the  Easter  season.  According  to 
Neale  these  volumes  together  would  form  at  least 
five  thousand  closely  printed  double-column  quar- 
to pages,  of  which  four  thousand  pages  would  be 


100  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

poetry.  Many  are  still  unpublished  and  preserved 
in  convent  libraries.  The  hymns  celebrate  the 
Holy  Trinity  and  the  Incarnation,  the  great  festi- 
vals, and  especially  also  the  Virgin  Mary,  the 
saints  and  martyrs,  and  sacred  icons;  but  the 
service  books  also  contain  a  "deluge  of  worthless 
compositions:  tautology  repeated  till  it  becomes 
almost  sickening ;  the  merest  commonplace,  again 
and  again  decked  in  the  tawdry  shreds  of  tragic 
language,  and  twenty  or  thirty  times  presenting 
the  same  thought  in  slightly  varying  terms." 
The  Greek  service  books  are  also  music  books, 
because  some  of  the  older  hymnists  were  also 
melodists  and  composed  the  music;  hence  they 
were  called  fisXwdoi  as  well  as  nocTjTai,  in  distinction 
from  the  mere  hymnographers,  vfiv6ypa<pot. 

As  to  the  form  of  the  hymns,  they  consist  of 
stanzas  called  "troparia";  the  first  troparion  is 
called  "hirmos,"  because  it  strikes  the  tune  and 
draws  the  others  after  it.  A  number  of  troparia 
— ^from  three  to  twenty  or  more — form  an  ode; 
three  little  odes  are  a  "triodion" ;  nine  odes  or 
three  triodia  form  a  "canon."  The  odes  usually 
end  with  a  doxology  (doxa)  and  a  stanza  in  praise 
of  Mary  the  mother  of  God  (theotokion).  A  hymn 
with  a  tune  of  its  own  is  called  an  "idiomelon." 

Passing  over  several  other  designations  of  vari- 
ous kinds  of  poems,  which  are  fully  discussed  by 
Christ  in  the  "Prolegomena,"  pp.  liv-lxxiii,  we  will 
only  state  that  the  "canons,"  which  are  the  highest 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  xoi 

effort  of  Greek  hymnody,  sung  for  the  most  part 
at  Lauds  (eig  rdv  ogdpov),  are  founded  principally 
on  nine  scriptiiral  canticles,  namely:  i.  Song  of 
Moses  after  the  passage  of  the  Red  Sea(Exod.  15) ; 

2.  Song  of  Moses  in  Deuteronomy  (chapter  32); 

3.  Song  of  Hannah;  4.  That  of  Habakkuk;  5. 
That  of  Isaiah  (chapter  26.  9-20);  6.  That  of 
Jonah;  7.  That  of  the  Three  Children;  8.  The 
remainder  of  the  Prayer  of  the  Three  Children 
(Benedicite) ;    9.  The  Magnificat  and  Benedictus. 

After  this  digression  we  return  to  Anatolius, 
who,  as  Neale  says,  was  "the  first  poet  who  eman- 
cipated himself  from  the  tyranny  of  the  laws  of 
classic  meter,  and  who  boldly  struck  out  the  new 
path  of  harmonious  prose.  He  had  been  the 
legate  from  the  arch  heretic  Dioscurus  to  the 
emperor's  court,  and  at  the  death  of  S.  Flavian, 
in  consequence  of  the  violence  received  in  the 
'Robbers'  Meeting'  at  Ephesus,  A.  D.  449,  was, 
by  the  influence  of  his  pontiff,  raised  to  the  vacant 
throne  of  Constantinople.  He  soon,  however,  vin- 
dicated his  orthodoxy,  and  in  the  Council  of  Chal- 
cedon  he  procured  the  enactment  of  the  famous 
twenty-eighth  canon,  by  which  Constantinople 
was  raised  to  the  second  place  among  patriarchal 
sees.  Anatolius  died  in  A.  D.  458.  His  compo- 
sitions are  not  numerous,  and  are  almost  all  short, 
but  they  are  usually  very  spirited." 

A  beautiful  "Evening  Hymn,"  commencing, 
T7)v  Tjnipav  dieX^civ,  is  ascribed  to  Anatolius  by 


X03  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Neale,  though  not  mentioned  by  Christ.  Says 
Neale:  "This  Httle  hymn,  which,  I  believe,  is  not 
used  in  the  public  service  of  the  Church,  is  a 
great  favorite  in  the  Greek  Isles.  Its  peculiar 
style  and  evident  antiquity  may  well  lead  to  the 
belief  that  it  is  the  work  of  our  present  author. 
It  is  to  the  scattered  hamlets  of  Chios  and  Mity- 
lene  what  Bishop  Ken's  'Evening  Hymn'  is  to 
the  villages  of  our  own  land,  and  its  melody  is 
singularly  plaintive  and  soothing."  Of  the  sub- 
joined specimens,  Christ  mentions  only  the 
fourth. 

Evening  Hymn 

The  day  is  past  and  over : 

All  thanks,  O  Lord,  to  thee! 
I  pray  thee  that  offenseless 

The  hours  of  dark  may  be. 
O  Jesu,  keep  me  in  thy  sight. 
And  save  me  through  the  coming  night ! 

The  joys  of  day  are  over: 

I  lift  my  heart  to  thee. 
And  call  on  thee,  that  sinless 

The  hours  of  sin  may  be. 
O  Jesu,  make  their  darkness  light, 
And  save  me  through  the  coming  night! 

The  toils  of  day  are  over: 

I  raise  the  hymn  to  thee; 
And  ask  that  free  from  peril 

The  hours  of  fear  may  be. 
O  Jesu,  keep  me  in  thy  sight. 
And  guard  me  through  the  coming  night ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  103 

Lighten  mine  eyes,  O  Saviour, 

Or  sleep  in  death  shall  I; 
And  he  my  wakeful  tempter 

Triumphantly  shall  cry, 
"He  could  not  make  the  darkness  light; 
Nor  guard  them  through  the  hours  of  night !" 

Be  thou  my  soul's  preserver, 

O  God;    for  thou  dost  know 
How  many  are  the  perils 

Through  which  I  have  to  go. 
Lover  of  men !  O  hear  my  call. 
And  guard  and  save  me  from  them  all ! 

For  Christmas 
Meya  Kal  irapaSo^ov  ^avfia 

A  great  and  mighty  wonder ! 

A  full  and  holy  cure ! 
The  Virgin  bears  the  Infant, 

With  Virgin-honor  pure  I 

The  Word  becomes  Incarnate 

And  yet  remains  on  high : 
And  cherubim  sing  anthems 

To  shepherds  from  the  sky. 

And  we  with  them  triumphant 

Repeat  the  hymn  again: 
"To  God  on  high  be  glory. 

And  peace  on  earth  to  men !" 

While  thus  they  sing  your  Monarch, 

Those  bright  angelic  bands, 
Rejoice,  ye  vales  and  mountains ! 

Ye  oceans,  clap  your  hands ! 


I04  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Since  all  he  comes  to  ransom. 

By  all  be  he  adored, 
The  Infant  born  in  Bethlehem, 

The  Saviour  and  the  Lord ! 

And  idol  forms  shall  perish. 
And  error  shall  decay, 

And  Christ  shall  wield  the  scepter, 
Our  Lord  and  God  for  aye. 


In  Bethlehem 

'Ev  B7jdXee[M 

(A  translation  of  this  Christmas  hymn  was  published — probably 
also  by  Neale — in  the  "Christian  Remembrancer,"  London,  1859, 
p.  302.) 

In  Bethlehem  is  He  born ! 

Maker  of  all  things,  everlasting  God ! 

He  opens  Eden's  gate, 

Monarch  of  ages !    Thence  the  fiery  sword 

Gives  glorious  passage;   thence. 

The  severing  mid-wall  overthrown,  the  powers 

Of  earth  and  heaven  are  one; 

Angels  and  men  renew  their  ancient  league. 

The  pure  rejoin  the  pure, 

In  happy  union  !    Now  the  virgin-womb 

Like  some  cherubic  throne 

Containeth  Him,  the  Uncontainable : 

Bears  him,  whom  while  they  bear 

The  seraphs  tremble !  bears  him,  as  he  comes 

To  shower  upon  the  world 

The  fullness  of  his  everlasting  love ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  X05 

For  Saint  Stephen's  Day 
Tw  fiaoiXel  Kat  deandry 
(Quoted  by  Christ,  p.  117.) 
The  Lord  and  King  of  all  things 

But  yesterday  was  born: 
And  Stephen's  glorious  offering 

His  birthtide  shall  adorn. 
No  pearls  of  orient  splendor. 

No  jewels  can  he  show; 
But  with  his  own  true  heart's  blood 

His  shining  vestments  glow. 
Come,  ye  that  love  the  martyrs. 

And  pluck  the  flowers  of  song, 
And  weave  them  in  a  garland 

For  this  our  suppliant  throng: 
And  cry, — O  Thou  that  shinest 

In  grace's  brightest  ray, 
Christ's  valiant  Protomartyr, 

For  peace  and  favor  pray. 
[Thou  first  of  all  confessors. 

Thou  of  all  deacons  crown. 
Of  every  following  athlete 

The  glory  and  renown: 
Make  supplication,  standing 

Before  Christ's  royal  throne. 
That  he  would  give  the  kingdom, 

And  for  our  sins  atone !] 

(The  words  in  brackets  are  not  found  in  Christ.) 
On  Christ  Calming  the  Storm 

Zocpepdg  TgtKVfiiag 

Fierce  was  the  wild  billow. 
Dark  was  the  night; 


io6  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Oars  labored  heavily; 

Foam  glimmered  white; 
Trembled  the  mariners; 

Peril  was  nigh; 
Then  said  the  God  o£  God, 

"Peace !    It  is  I !" 

Ridge  of  the  mountain-wave. 

Lower  thy  crest ! 
Wail  of  Euroclydon, 

Be  thou  at  rest! 
Sorrow  can  never  be, — 

Darkness  must  fly, — 
Where  saith  the  Light  of  Light, 

"Peace !    It  is  I !" 

Jesu,  Deliverer! 

Come  thou  to  me: 
Soothe  thou  my  voyaging 

Over  life's  sea ! 
Thou,  when  the  storm  of  death 

Roars,  sweeping  by. 
Whisper,  O  Truth  of  Truth, 

"Peace !    It  is  I !" 


Hnbrew  ot  Crete 

(A.  D.  660-732) 

Andrew  of  Crete  was  born  at  Damascus,  became 
monk  at  Jerusalem,  deacon  at  Constantinople, 
archbishop  of  Crete,  took  part  in  the  Monothelitic 
Synod  of  712,  but  afterward  returned  to  ortho- 
doxy.    (The  translation  is  that  of  Neale.) 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  107 

A  EucHARisTic  Hymn 
To  fiiya  fivaTi]^iov 

O  the  mystery,  passing  wonder. 

When,  reclining  at  the  board, 
"Eat,"  Thou  saidst  to  thy  disciples, 

"That  True  Bread  with  quickening  stored : 
Drink  in  faith  the  healing  chalice 

From  a  dying  God  outpoured." 

Then  the  glorious  upper  chamber 

A  celestial  tent  was  made, 
When  the  bloodless  rite  was  offered. 

And  the  soul's  true  service  paid. 
And  the  table  of  the  feasters 

As  an  altar  stood  displayed. 

Christ  is  now  our  mighty  Pascha, 

Eaten  for  our  mystic  bread: 
Take  we  of  his  broken  body, 

Drink  we  of  the  blood  he  shed. 
As  a  lamb  led  out  to  slaughter. 

And  for  this  world  offered. 

To  the  Twelve  spake  Truth  eternal. 

To  the  branches  spake  the  Vine: 
"Never  more  from  this  day  forward 

Shall  I  taste  again  this  wine, 
Till  I  drink  it  in  the  kingdom 

Of  my  Father,  and  with  mine." 

Thou  hast  stretched  those  hands  for  silver 

That  had  held  the  immortal  food ; 
With  those  lips  that  late  had  tasted 

Of  the  body  and  the  blood. 


io8  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Thou  hast  given  the  kiss,  O  Judas ; 
Thou  hast  heard  the  woe  bestowed. 

Christ  to  all  the  world  gives  banquet 

On  that  most  celestial  meat: 
Him,  albeit  with  lips  all  earthly. 

Yet  with  holy  hearts  we  greet: 
Him,  the  sacrificial  Pascha, 

Priest  and  Victim  all  complete. 

For  Palm  Sunday 

'lijaovg  VTtep  rov  KOOfiov 

Jesus,  hastening  for  the  world  to  suffer, 

Enters  in,  Jerusalem,  to  thee: 
With  his  Twelve  he  goeth  forth  to  offer 

That  free  sacrifice  he  came  to  be. 

They  that  follow  him  with  true  affection 
Stand  prepared  to  suffer  for  his  name: 

Be  we  ready  then  for  man's  rejection. 
For  the  mockery,  the  reproach,  the  shame. 

Now,  in  sorrow,  sorrow  finds  its  healing : 
In  the  form  wherein  our  father  fell, 

Christ  appears,  those  quick'ning  wounds  revealing, 
Which  shall  save  from  sin  and  death  and  hell. 

Now,  Judasa,  call  thy  Priesthood  nigh  thee ! 

Now  for  Deicide  prepare  thy  hands ! 
Lo !  thy  Monarch,  meek  and  gentle,  by  thee ! 

Lo !  the  Lamb  and  Shepherd  in  thee  stands ! 

To  thy  monarch,  Salem,  give  glad  greeting ! 
Willingly  he  hastens  to  be  slain 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  109 

For  the  multitude  his  entrance  meeting 
With  their  false  hosannas'  ceaseless  strain. 
"Blest  is  He  that  comes,"  they  cry, 
"On  the  cross  for  man  to  die  !" 

Ov  ydg  pXeTTSig  rovg  Tapdrrovrag 

Christian !    dost  thou  see  them 

On  the  holy  ground. 
How  the  troops  of  Midian 

Prowl  and  prowl  around  ? 
Christian !   up  and  smite  them. 

Counting  gain  but  loss: 
Smite  them  by  the  merit 

Of  the  holy  cross ! 

Christian  !   dost  thou  feel  them, 

How  they  work  within, 
Striving,  tempting,  luring. 

Goading  into  sin  ? 
Christian  !   never  tremble  ! 

Never  be  downcast ! 
Smite  them  by  the  virtue 

Of  the  Lenten  fast ! 

Christian !  dost  thou  hear  them. 

How  they  speak  thee  fair? 
"Always  fast  and  vigil  ? 

Always  watch  and  prayer?" 
Christian!    say  but  boldly: 

"While  I  breathe  I  pray !" 
Peace  shall  follow  battle. 

Night  shall  end  in  day. 

"Well  I  know  thy  trouble, 
O  my  servant  true; 


no  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Thou  art  very  weary, — 

I  was  weary  too ; 
But  that  toil  shall  make  thee. 

Some  day,  all  mine  own. 
But  the  end  of  sorrow 

Shall  be  near  my  throne." 

Tdv  kv  7Tpo(priTat,g 

(Three  idiomela  from  the  Vespers  of  the  Nativity  of  Saint  John 
the  Baptist.  The  poems  are  in  the  form  of  an  address  to  Saint 
John,  each  of  them  closing  with  an  appeal.  The  poem,  which  is 
found  in  the  "Menaea,"  appointed  for  the  festival  of  Saint  John 
the  Baptist,  is  found  in  Littledale's  translation  in  "The  People's 
Hymnal.") 

The  first  of  all  apostles, 

Of  all  the  prophets  last, 
A  man,  yet  like  the  angels. 
On  whom  hath  blessing  past, 

The  voice  and  the  forerunner 

Of  God's  Eternal  Word, 
The  true  and  faithful  soldier 

Of  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord: 

Elizabeth  in  gladness 

Hath  brought  him  forth  to-day. 

And  Zacharias  marvels. 
And  dumbness  puts  away. 

As  fits  the  voice's  father. 

He  speaks  clear  prophecy: 
"Thou  shalt  be  called  the  prophet, 

O  child,  of  God  Most  High. 

"And  thou  shalt  go  before  Him, 
And  shalt  prepare  his  way, 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  iii 

As  herald  of  repentance, 
The  dawn  before  the  Day." 

The  prophet  sprung  from  prophet. 

Of  barren  womb  the  child. 
The  greatest  born  of  women, 

The  dweller  in  the  wild. 

The  voice  of  grace  celestial. 

The  herald  of  the  Sun, 
Hath  come  to-day  among  us 

His  warning  course  to  run. 

To  tell  of  Him  he  greeted. 

Child  yet  within  the  womb, 
The  Lamb  of  God,  whose  mercy 

Hath  ransomed  us  from  doom. 

Then  unto  Christ  be  glory. 

Who  sent  his  saint  before. 
To  Father  and  to  Spirit 

Like  praise  for  evermore.    Amen. 


5obn  ot  2)amascu5 

(Died  about  A.  D.  780) 

John  of  Damascus  stands  in  the  first  rank  of 
Greek  hymnists.  He  was  the  last  but  one  of  the 
fathers  of  the  Greek  Church,  and  the  greatest  of 
her  poets.  As  a  poet  he  had  a  principal  share  in 
the  "Octoechus,"  which  contains  the  Sunday  serv- 
ices of  the  Eastern  Church.  He  is  the  author  of 
a  canon    for  Christmas   Day,   beginning,  "Eauae 


iia  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Xadv,  ^avfiarovpycbv  AeorroTrjg,  and  the  odes  are  sung 
in  service  alternately  with  those  of  Cosmas's 
XpiOTog  yevvdrai'  do^daare  (which  see  on  page  134). 
We  subjoin  the  following  odes  from  this  canon 
in  the  translation  of  W.  C.  Dix,  as  published  in 
the  "Lyra  Messianica,"  pp.  75,  93,  112: 


"EcwCTfi  Xadv,  'davfiarovpyibv 

The  wonder-working  Master 

Once  deigned  the  tribes  to  save. 
When  dry  land  for  his  people 

He  made  the  Red  Sea  wave : 
Now  born  for  us,  all  willing, 

Of  Maiden  pure  and  sweet, 
The  path  to  heavenly  mansions 

He  opens  to  our  feet. 

The  bush  unburned  most  truly 

Portrays  the  holy  womb, 
Whence  sprung  the  Word  Incarnate 

To  loose  the  ancient  doom. 
And  all  the  bitter  sorrows 

Of  Eva's  curse  to  stay. 
The  Word,  who  higher  wended 

Our  sin  to  do  away. 

To  him,  with  God  the  Father 

In  substance  truly  One, 
One  with  mankind,  from  all  men 

Be  laud  forever  done; 
God  to  our  human  nature, 

To  our  mortality, 
In  form  conjoined,  we  worship, 

And  him  we  glorify. 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  113 

Thee,  Word  of  God  Eternal, 

Who  wast  before  the  sun. 
The  star  showed  to  the  Magi, 

A  poor  and  suffering  One : 
Thee,  swaddled  in  a  manger, 

They  saw  with  glad  accord. 
And  hailed  thee  with  rejoicing. 

True  Man,  and  yet  the  Lord. 


II 

'Nevaov  TTpdg  vfivovg 

Our  hymns  receive,  Redeemer; 

The  foe's  high  brow  bring  low; 
Thou  from  on  high  beholdest 

Each  sin  which  works  our  woe, 
Yet  us,  thine  own,  Most  Holy, 

Who  steadfastly  believe. 
Thy  minstrels  truly  faithful. 

Thyself  in  love  receive. 

The  band  of  herdsmen  chosen 

The  strange  new  sight  to  see. 
Was  troubled  at  beholding 

The  wondrous  mystery: 
The  offspring  of  a  Maiden, 

Incarnate  without  seed, 
This,  this  the  passing  marvel 

No  human  mind  can  read. 

O  sight  all  unaccustomed. 
Their  Monarch,  Christ  the  Lord, 

They  see  by  tuneful  cohorts 
Of  seraphim  adored ; 


114  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

In  tender  loving-kindness 
He  comes,  who  rules  the  sky. 

And  born  of  Maid  unwedded. 
Fulfills  his  promise  high. 

Erewhile  without  a  body, 

The  Essence  flesh  was  made. 
The  Word  took  matter  to  him 

From  Mary,  stainless  Maid: 
That  to  himself  us  sinners, 

The  guilty  sons  of  men, 
Fallen  chiefs  of  his  creation, 

He  might  draw  back  again. 

Ill 

Tivovg  PpoTELOv 

Habakkuk  in  ancient  song 
Foretells  the  new  creation ; 

Fellow  of  the  prophet-throng 
And  herald  of  salvation. 

Unto  him  was  given  to  see 

Types  of  wondrous  mystery. 

Now  the  Word  to  mortals'  aid 
From  Virgin-mount  hath  hasted. 

To  frame  anew  the  worlds  he  made. 
To  heal  what  sin  has  wasted, 

Coming  from  the  sunless  gates. 

Leading  all  where  light  awaits. 

Highest,  thou  our  flesh  didst  take. 
Wast  born  an  Infant  lowly, 

Didst  thyself  man's  equal  make. 
The  Uncreate,  the  Holy, 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  115 

Thus  to  purge  the  venom  dread, 
Flowing  from  the  Serpent's  head. 

Gentiles  once  corrupt,  rejoice. 
Now  saved  from  condemnation ; 

Lift  your  hands  with  joyful  voice 
And  tuneful  exultation; 

Christ  adoring,  whom  alone 

Benefactor  now  ye  own. 

From  the  root  of  Jesse  sprung, 

O  Virgin,  born  of  mortal ; 
Christ,  ere  worlds  with  Godhead  One, 

Hath  passed  thy  sealed  portal ; 
When  it  pleased  him  coming  thus 
Meekly  to  abide  with  us. 

Odes  on  the  Resurrection  ^ 
I 

'Tis  the  day  of  resurrection : 

Earth,  tell  it  out  abroad ! 
The  Passover  of  gladness ! 

The  Passover  of  God! 
From  death  to  life  eternal. 

From  this  world  to  the  sky, 
Our  Christ  hath  brought  us  over. 

With  hymns  of  victory. 

Our  hearts  be  pure  from  evil. 

That  we  may  see  aright 
The  Lord  in  rays  eternal 

Of  resurrection  light. 

1  Where  not  otherwise  noted  the  translations  are  those  of  Neale. 


ii6  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

And,  listening  to  his  accents. 
May  hear,  so  calm  and  plain, 

His  own  "All  hail !"  and,  hearing. 
May  raise  the  victor  strain ! 

Now  let  the  heavens  be  joyful ! 

Let  earth  her  song  begin ! 
Let  the  round  world  keep  triumph. 

And  all  that  is  therein: 
Invisible  and  visible 

Their  notes  let  all  things  blend. 
For  Christ  the  Lord  hath  risen. 

Our  joy  that  hath  no  end. 

II 

Come,  let  us  drink  of  that  new  river, 
Not  from  barren  rock  divinely  poured. 

But  the  fount  of  life  that  is  forever 
From  the  sepulcher  of  Christ  the  Lord. 

All  the  world  hath  bright  illumination, — 
Heaven  and  earth  and  things  beneath  the  earth : 

'Tis  the  festival  of  all  creation : 

Christ  hath  risen,  who  gave  creation  birth. 

Yesterday  with  Thee  in  burial  lying, 
Now  to-day  with  thee  arisen  I  rise ; 

Yesterday  the  partner  of  thy  dying, 
With  thyself  upraise  me  to  the  skies. 

Ill 

'Ent  TTig  'deiag  (pvXaK'^g 

Stand  on  thy  watchtower,  Habakkuk  the  Seer, 
And  show  the  Angel,  radiant  in  his  light : 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  117 

"To-day,"  saith  he,  "salvation  shall  appear. 
Because  the  Lord  hath  risen,  as  God  o£  Might." 

The  male  that  opes  the  Virgin's  womb  is  he ; 

The  Lamb  of  whom  his  faithful  people  eat; 
Our  truer  Passover  from  blemish  free ; 

Our  very  God,  whose  name  is  all  complete. 

This  yearling  Lamb,  our  Sacrifice  most  blest, 
Our  glorious  Crown,  for  all  men  freely  dies : 

Behold  our  Pascha,  beauteous  from  his  rest. 
The  healing  Sun  of  Righteousness  arise. 

Before  the  ark,  a  type  to  pass  away, 
David  of  old  time  danced :  we,  holier  race. 

Seeing  the  Antitype  come  forth  to-day. 
Hail,  with  a  shout,  Christ's  own  almighty  grace. 


IV 

Let  us  rise  in  early  morning. 
And,  instead  of  ointments,  bring 

Hymns  of  praises  to  our  Master, 
And  his  resurrection  sing : 

We  shall  see  the  Sun  of  Justice 
Risen  with  healing  on  his  wing. 

Thy  unbounded  loving-kindness, 
They  that  groaned  in  Hades'  chain, 

Prisoners,  from  afar  beholding, 
Hasten  to  the  light  again; 

And  to  that  eternal  Pascha 

Wove  the  dance  and  raised  the  strain. 


ii8  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

Go  ye  forth,  his  saints,  to  meet  him ! 

Go  with  lamps  in  every  hand ! 
From  the  sepulcher  he  riseth: 

Ready  for  the  Bridegroom  stand: 
And  the  Pascha  of  salvation 

Hail,  with  his  triumphant  band. 


V 

Kar^X^eg  kv  rolg 

Into  the  dim  earth's  lowest  parts  descending, 
And  bursting  by  Thy  might  the  infernal  chain 

That  bound  the  prisoners.  Thou,  at  three  days'  ending. 
As  Jonah  from  the  whale,  hast  risen  again. 

Thou  brakest  not  the  seal,  thy  surety's  token. 
Arising  from  the  tomb,  who  left'st  in  birth 

The  portals  of  virginity  unbroken, 

Opening  the  gates  of  heaven  to  sons  of  earth. 

Thou,  Sacrifice  ineffable  and  living, 

Didst  to  the  Father  by  thyself  atone 
As  God  eternal :   resurrection  giving 

To  Adam,  general  parent,  by  thine  own. 

VI 

'O  TToidag  ek  Kafiivov 

Who  from  the  fiery  furnace  saved  the  Three, 
Suffers  as  mortal;   that,  His  Passion  o'er. 
This  mortal,  triumphing  o'er  death,  might  be 
Vested  with  immortality  once  more : 
He  whom  our  fathers  still  confessed 
God  over  all,  forever  blest. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  119 

The  women  with  their  ointment  seek  the  tomb : 

And  whom  they  mourned  as  dead,  with  many  a  tear, 
They  worship  now,  joy  dawning  on  their  gloom. 
As  living  God,  as  mystic  Passover; 
Then  to  the  Lord's  disciples  gave 
The  tidings  of  the  vanquished  grave. 

We  keep  the  festal  of  the  death  of  death ; 

Of  hell  o'erthrown :  the  first  fruits,  pure  and  bright. 
Of  life  eternal;   and  with  joyous  breath 

Praise  Him  that  won  the  victory  by  his  might: 
Him  whom  our  fathers  still  confessed 
God  over  all,  forever  blest. 

All-hallowed  festival,  in  splendor  born ! 

Night  of  salvation  and  of  glory !    Night 
Fore-heralding  the  resurrection  morn  ! 

When  from  the  tomb  the  everlasting  Light, 
A  glorious  frame  once  more  his  own. 
Upon  the  world  in  splendor  shone. 

VII 

AVTT)    7]    kXtJTT] 

Thou  hallowed  chosen  morn  of  praise. 

That  best  and  greatest  shinest ! 
Lady  and  Queen  and  Day  of  days. 

Of  things  divine,  divinest ! 
On  thee  our  praises  Christ  adore 
Forever  and  for  evermore. 

Come,  let  us  taste  the  Vine's  new  fruit 

For  heavenly  joy  preparing: 
To-day  the  branches  with  the  Root 

In  resurrection  sharing: 
Whom  as  true  God  our  hymns  adore 
Forever  and  for  evermore. 


120  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Rise,  Sion,  rise,  and  looking  forth, 
Behold  thy  children  round  thee  ! 

From  east  and  west,  and  south  and  north, 
Thy  scattered  sons  have  found  thee  ! 

And  in  thy  bosom  Christ  adore 

Forever  and  for  evermore. 

O  Father !  O  co-equal  Son ! 

O  co-eternal  Spirit ! 
In  persons  Three,  in  substance  One, 

And  One  in  power  and  merit ; 
In  thee  baptized,  we  thee  adore 
Forever  and  for  evermore ! 

VIII 

(Translated  by  W.  C.  Dix,  in  "Lyra  Messianica,"  p.  318;  another 
translation  by  Neale.) 

Shine !  shine !   O  new  Jerusalem, 
With  light  for  beauteous  diadem ; 
Sion,  rejoice !   exultant  be ! 
God's  glory  now  has  risen  on  thee. 

And  thou,  pure  Mother  of  our  God, 
The  resurrection  tell  abroad ; 
Be  glad  and  sing,  thou  spotless  One, 
In  this  arising  of  thy  Son. 

O  voice  most  heavenly !  voice  most  dear ! 
O  sweetest  voice !  by  which  we  hear 
The  promise  thou,  O  Christ,  dost  send. 
To  be  with  us  until  the  end. 

The  faithful  ones  of  thy  one  fold. 
This  anchor  of  our  hope  we  hold; 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH 

The  Bride  exults,  and  we  with  her, 
O  great,  O  sacred  Passover! 

Grant  us,  O  Christ,  more  perfectly 
Hereafter  to  partake  of  thee; 
To  win,  O  Wisdom,  Word,  and  Might, 
Thy  kingdom's  day  that  hath  no  night. 

IX 

Ei  Kai  EV  Td(f)(f) 
(By  W.  C.  Dix,  ut  supra,  p.  330.) 
If  the  dark  and  awful  tomb 

Thou,  immortal  One,  hast  known. 
Rising,  in  thy  deathless  bloom. 
Hades  thou  hast  overthrown. 

Yes,  as  Victor  thou  hast  burst 

All  bands  of  hell,  and  said, 
Hail !    to  those  who  sought  thee  first, 

Bearing  ointment  for  the  dead. 

Peace,  thy  earliest,  sweetest  gift, 

Unto  thine  apostles  given ; 
All  the  fallen  thou  didst  lift 

From  the  gates  of  hell  to  heaven. 

X 

Hpo}.a(3ovaat  rov  op^pov 
(By  W.  C.  Dix,  p.  347) 
They  who  with  Mary  came 
Before  the  dawn  of  day. 
Soon  found  that  from  the  sepulcher 
The  stone  was  rolled  away. 


122  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Then  to  those  fearful  souls 
The  shining  angel  said, — 

Him  who  in  light  eternal  dwells 
Why  seek  ye  with  the  dead  ? 

The  graveclothes  see,  and  haste 
The  joyful  news  to  tell; 

The  Lord  is  risen,  and  he  hath  been 
The  death  of  death  and  hell. 

He  is  the  Son  of  God 
Who  saves  the  human  race; 

No  more  shall  death  destroy,  no  more 
The  ancient  foe  have  place. 


Pentecostal  Odes 

(Translated  by  W.  C.  Dix,  in  "Lyra  Mystica,"  pp.  202-204.) 

I 
I,vfi(pG)vov  e-&g67]aev 

The  tuneful  sound  of  music 

Burst  sweetly  forth  of  old, 
In  honor  of  the  idol, 

The  lifeless  form  of  gold ; 
We  cry,  with  awe  adoring 

The  Spirit's  radiant  Flame, — 
Sole  Trinity,  we  bless  thee. 

For  evermore  the  same. 

They  who  the  voice  prophetic 

Knew  not  as  Word  of  thine. 
The  unknown  tongues  regarded 

As  drunkenness  of  wine ; 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  123 

But  we,  in  faith  devoutly, 

Give  God  the  honor  due — 
Sole  Trinity,  we  bless  thee. 

Who  makest  all  things  new. 

The  prophet  Joel  looking 

Upon  the  face  of  God, 
Astonied  heard  him  speaking. 

And  told  his  words  abroad — 
They  whom  I  give  my  Spirit 

Shall  cry,  thus  filled  with  might — 
Sole  Trinity,  we  bless  thee, 

O  everlasting  Light. 

The  third  day — hour  abounded 

With  grace,  that  we  might  know 
The  source  of  blessing,  threefold. 

Whence  benedictions  flow: 
And  now,  on  this  glad  morning, 

The  best  and  chief  of  days — 
Sole  Trinity,  we  bless  thee 

In  hymns  of  grateful  praise. 

II 

Avet  ra  deafia 

Into  the  fiery  furnace  flung. 

The  Holy  Children  sweetly  sung. 

And  singing,  turned  the  fire  to  dew 

Which  quenched  each  flame  that  leaped  anew : 

And  this  the  strain  their  love  expressed, 

God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed. 

What  time  the  Twelve,  inspired  of  God, 
Redemption's  story  sent  abroad, 


124  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

The  working  of  the  breath  divine, 
The  unbelievers  deemed  new  wine : 
But  we,  through  this  same  Spirit  see 
The  Three  in  One,  the  One  in  Three. 

The  Nature  One  we  praise  and  bless. 
The  glorious  Trinity  confess; 
Co-equal,  Co-eterne,  the  Same, 
We  lift  on  high  the  Threefold  Name; 
And  laud  the  faith  of  old  professed — 
God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed. 

Taxtlav  Kai  ara^Tjpav  Sidov 

(This  forms  a  "stanza"  in  the  office  for  the  Sunday  of  the  Pente- 
cost in  the  Greek  Church.  The  translation  of  W.  C.  Dix  is  subjoined 
from  *'The  People's  Hjmmal.") 

Jesu,  give  thy  servants 

Consolation  sure; 
Haste  thee  to  us,  bringing 

Blessings  that  endure. 

Take  away  our  sorrows. 

Make  us  glad  in  heart ; 
We  are  full  of  trouble, 

If  from  thee  we  part. 

Go  not  thou  far  from  us 

In  our  time  of  need; 
Jesu,  if  thou  leave  us. 

Mourners  we  indeed. 

O  prevent  us  alway. 

Be  thou  ever  near. 
Light  when  falls  the  darkness, 

Hope  in  times  of  fear. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  125 

Thou  the  Omnipresent, 

Us  with  thee  unite ; 
So  shall  every  sorrow 

Soon  be  put  to  flight. 

As  to  thine  apostles 

Thou  wast  ever  near. 
So  within  our  spirits. 

Tarry,  Saviour  dear. 

Joined  to  thee  in  meekness. 

Merciful,  we  pray, 
Turn  our  tears  to  gladness. 

Turn  our  night  to  day. 

Comfort  hearts  that  long  so. 

With  thy  Spirit's  grace; 
Thou  to  weary  pilgrims 

Rock  and  Resting-place.    Ame 

Aevre  reXevraTov 
The  following  lines,  says  Neale,  "form  perhaps 
one  of  the  most  striking  portions  of  the  service  of 
the  Eastern  Church,  They  are  sung  toward  the 
conclusion  of  the  Funeral  Office,  while  the  friends 
and  relations  are,  in  turn,  kissing  the  corpse ;  the 
priest  does  so  last  of  all.  Immediately  afterward 
it  is  borne  to  the  grave;  the  priest  casts  the  first 
earth  on  the  coffin,  with  the  words,  'The  earth  is 
the  Lord's,  and  all  that  therein  is :  the  compass  of 
the  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein.*  " 

Take  the  last  kiss, — the  last  forever ! 
Yet  render  thanks  amidst  your  gloom : 


126  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

He,  severed  from  his  home  and  kindred. 

Is  passing  onward  to  the  tomb: 
For  earthly  labors,  earthly  pleasures. 
And  carnal  joys,  he  cares  no  more: 
Where  are  his  kinsfolk  and  acquaintance? 
They  stand  upon  another  shore. 
Let  us  say,  around  him  pressed. 
Grant  him,  Lord,  eternal  rest ! 

The  hour  of  woe  and  separation. 

The  hour  of  falling  tears  is  this; 
Him  that  so  lately  was  among  us 

For  the  last  time  of  all  we  kiss : 
Up  to  the  grave  to  be  surrendered. 

Sealed  with  the  monumental  stone, 
A  dweller  in  the  house  of  darkness. 

Amidst  the  dead  to  lie  alone. 
Let  us  say,  around  him  pressed. 
Grant  him,  Lord,  eternal  rest ! 

Life,  and  life's  evil  conversation. 

And  all  its  dreams,  are  passed  away : 
The  soul  hath  left  her  tabernacle: 

Black  and  unsightly  grows  the  clay. 
The  golden  vessel  here  lies  broken: 

The  tongue  no  voice  of  answer  knows : 
Hushed  is  sensation,  stilled  is  motion ; 

Toward  the  tomb  the  dead  man  goes. 
Let  us  cry  with  heart's  endeavor. 
Grant  him  rest  that  is  forever ! 

What  is  our  life?    A  fading  flower; 

A  vapor,  passing  soon  away ; 
The  dewdrops  of  the  early  morning: — 

Come,  gaze  upon  the  tombs  to-day. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  127 

Where  now  is  youth  ?    Where  now  is  beauty. 

And  grace  of  form,  and  sparkling  eye? 
All,  like  the  summer  grass,  are  withered; 
All  are  abolished  utterly! 

While  our  eyes  with  grief  grow  dim. 
Let  us  weep  to  Christ  for  him! 

Woe  for  that  bitter,  bitter  moment. 

The  fearful  start,  the  parting  groan. 
The  wrench  of  anguish,  from  the  body 

When  the  poor  soul  goes  forth  alone  ! 
Hell  and  desttuiction  are  before  her; 

Earth  in  its  truest  worth  she  sees; 
A  flickering  shade;   a  dream  of  error; 

A  vanity  of  vanities. 

Sin  in  this  world  let  us  flee. 
That  in  heaven  our  place  may  be. 

Draw  nigh,  ye  sons  of  Adam,  viewing 

A  likeness  of  yourselves  in  clay : 
Its  beauty  gone;   its  grace  disfigured; 

Dissolving  in  the  tomb's  decay ; 
The  prey  of  worms  and  of  corruption. 

In  silent  darkness  moldering  on; 
Earth  gathers  round  the  coffin,  hiding 

The  brother,  now  forever  gone. 
Yet  we  cry,  around  him  pressed. 
Grant  him.  Lord,  eternal  rest ! 

When,  hurried  forth  by  fearful  angels. 
The  soul  forsakes  her  earthly  frame. 

Then  friends  and  kindred  she  forgetteth, 
And  this  world's  cares  have  no  more  claim; 

Then  passed  are  vanity  and  labor; 
She  hears  the  Judge's  voice  alone; 


128  HYMNS  AND  POETRY   OF 

She  sees  the  ineffable  tribunal : 
Where  we,  too,  cry  with  suppliant  moan. 
For  the  sins  that  soul  hath  done, 
Grant  thy  pardon,  Holy  One ! 

Now  all  the  organs  of  the  body. 

So  full  of  energy  before. 
Have  lost  perception,  know  no  motion, 

Can  suffer  and  can  act  no  more. 
The  eyes  are  closed  in  death's  dark  shadow; 

The  ear  can  never  hear  again ; 
The  feet  are  bound;   the  hands  lie  idle; 

The  tongue  is  fast  as  with  a  chain. 
Great  and  mighty  though  he  be, 
Every  man  is  vanity. 

Behold  and  weep  me,  friends  and  brethren ! 

Voice,  sense,  and  breath,  and  motion  gone ; 
But  yesterday  I  dwelt  among  you; 

Then  death's  most  fearful  hour  came  on. 
Embrace  me  with  the  last  embracement; 

Kiss  me  with  this,  the  latest  kiss ; 
Never  again  shall  I  be  with  you ; 

Never  with  you  share  woe  or  bliss. 
I  go  toward  the  dread  tribvmal 

Where  no  man's  person  is  preferred; 
Where  lord  and  slave,  where  chief  and  soldier, 

Where  rich  and  poor,  alike  are  heard : 
One  is  the  manner  of  their  judgment; 

Their  plea  and  their  condition  one: 
And  they  shall  reap  in  woe  or  glory 

The  earthly  deeds  that  they  have  done. 
I  pray  you,  brethren,  I  adjure  you. 

Pour  forth  to  Christ  the  ceaseless  prayer. 
He  would  not  doom  me  to  Gehenna, 

But  in  his  glory  give  me  share ! 


THE  EASTERN   CHURCH  129 

Jloia  Tov  piov  rpv^rj 

(From  the  Greek  Burial  Office  of  Priests,  in  the  "Euchologion." 
Stichera  idiomela  of  great  beauty,  in  which  some  of  the  strophes 
are  supposed  to  be  spoken  by  the  dead.  The  translation  which  we 
subjoin  is  Littledale's,  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  that  translator's  best 
efforts  from  the  Greek.  He  omits  certain  strophes  of  similar  mean- 
ing and  the  theotokia — that  is,  addresses  to  the  Virgin  Mary.  It 
is  found  in  "The  People's  Hymnal.") 

With  pain  earth's  joys  are  mingled. 

Earth's  glories  will  not  stay. 
And,  feebler  than  a  shadow. 

Like  dreams  they  fade  away. 
In  one  brief  sudden  moment 

Death  comes  to  take  their  place. 
But  thee  we  pray,  Lord  Jesu, 

With  thine  unclouded  face. 
And  with  thine  own  sweet  beauty, 

Thou  who  hast  loved  us  best. 
Look  on  him  thou  hast  chosen. 

And  grant  thy  servant  rest. 

Woe  for  the  bitter  struggle 

That  racks  the  parting  soul ! 
Woe  for  the  tears  she  poureth 

When  none  can  make  her  whole ! 
She  looketh  to  the  angels 

But  supplicates  in  vain; 
Her  hands  to  men  she  stretcheth. 

But  thence  no  help  may  gain. 
Then  mindful,  dearest  brethren, 

How  soon  this  life  must  cease. 
Pray  we  to  Christ  for  mercy, 

And  for  our  brother's  peace. 

Vain,  vain  are  all  possessions 
That  men  may  gather  here ; 


130  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

They  last  for  us  no  longer 

When  death  is  coming  near. 
Our  wealth  hath  no  abiding, 

Fame  may  not  with  us  go; 
When  death  is  hasting  onward. 

They  vanish  with  their  show. 
And  so  to  Christ  Eternal 

Cry  we,  of  his  dear  grace. 
To  grant  our  brother  quiet 

In  his  glad  dwelling-place. 

Where  are  the  world's  affections. 

Where  dream  of  earthly  gain. 
Where  are  the  gold  and  silver. 

And  where  the  serving  train? 
All,  all  are  dust  and  ashes. 

All  are  but  as  a  shade. 
So  to  the  King  Eternal 

Be  our  petition  made. 
Grant,  Lord,  thy  ceaseless  blessings 

To  him  now  called  away; 
And  give  him  joys  unfading. 

And  rest  that  lasts  for  aye.    Amen. 

Evcfypaivio^oioav  ol  ovpavot 

(Prom  the  Greek  Office  of  the  Annunciation  of  the  Virgin  Mary, 
in  the  "Menaea."  The  subjoined  translation  is  also  that  of  Little- 
dale,  published  in  "The  People's  Hymnal.") 

Let  heaven  rejoice,  and  earth  be  glad. 

For  He  who  reigns  above. 
With  all  his  Father's  glory  clad. 

Hath  shown  his  perfect  love. 

Brought  low,  to  save  mankind  from  doom, 
As  God  the  Father  bade, 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  131 

He  came  into  the  hallowed  womb 
Of  Mary,  stainless  Maid. 

O  wonder  of  surpassing  might ! 

With  men  dwells  God  the  Son ; 
The  womb  contains  the  Infinite, 

Time  holds  the  timeless  One. 

O  strange  conception,  pure  from  spot, 

O  lowliness  untold, 
O  mystery  too  deep  for  thought, 

O  bounty  manifold ! 

God  made  himself  of  glory  bare 

Our  mortal  flesh  to  take, 
When  to  the  Virgin  pure  and  fair 

The  Angel  greeting  spake. 

Hail,  Mary,  thou  art  full  of  grace. 

Blest  evermore  art  thou ; 
The  Lord,  whose  mercies  all  embrace, 

Himself  is  with  thee  now. 


IRomanus 

Romanus,  deacon  in  Berytus,  afterward  priest 
in  Constantinople,  was  one  of  the  most  original 
and  fruitful  among  the  older  poets.  There  is  a 
difference  of  opinion  among  scholars  concerning 
the  time  in  which  he  lived;  the  seventh  century 
is  probably  the  correct  date.  We  subjoin  the 
following  "Nativity  Hymn"  from  the  "Lyra  Mes- 
sianica"  as  translated  by  Dix: 


132  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

Trjv  'ESifi  Brjdkeefi 

Bethlehem  hath  opened  Eden, 

Come  !  let  us  behold : 
Sweetness  we  have  found  once  hidden. 

Pearl  of  price  untold ; 
Gifts  of  paradise,  all  precious, 
Stored  within  the  cave  refresh  us. 

There  the  unwatered  root  appearing 

Blooms  in  pardon  free; 
Christians  enter,  nothing  fearing. 

And  the  wonder  see : 
There  the  undug  well  behold 
David  thirsted  for  of  old. 

Now  the  Maid  her  Infant  bearing 

Hasten  we  to  greet; 
He  ere  worlds  the  Godhead  sharing. 

Little  Child  so  sweet, 
Born  within  this  lowly  place. 
Stays  the  thirst  of  Adam's  race. 


Cosmas  ot  Jerusalem 

(Died  about  A.  D.  760) 

Cosmas  of  Jerusalem  (surnamed  "the  Hagiop- 
olite,"  also  "the  Melodist"),  who  held  the  second 
place  among  Greek  ecclesiastical  poets,  was  bom  at 
Jerusalem.  Being  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age, 
he  was^adppted  by  the  father  of  John  of  Damascus, 
and  the  two  foster  brothers  were  bound  together 
by  a  friendship  which  lasted  through  life.     They 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  133 

excited  each  other  to  hymnology,  and  corrected 
and  poHshed  each  other's  compositions.  Cosmas, 
like  his  friend,  became  a  monk  of  Saint  Sabas,  and 
against  his  will  was  consecrated  bishop  of  Majuma, 
near  Gaza,  in  A.  D,  743,  by  John,  patriarch  of 
Jerusalem,  the  same  who  ordained  John  of  Da- 
mascus priest.  After  administering  his  diocese 
with  great  holiness,  he  died  of  old  age,  about  760, 
and  is  commemorated  by  the  Eastern  Church  on 
October  14. 

"Where  perfect  sweetness  dwells,  is  Cosmas  gone; 
But  his  sweet  lays  to  cheer  the  Church  live  on," 

says  the  verse  prefixed  to  his  life.  His  composi- 
tions are  numerous ;  the  best  seem  to  be  his  canons 
on  Gregory  Nazianzen  and  the  Purification.  To 
him  a  considerable  part  of  the  "Octoechus"  is 
owing.  "He  is  the  most  learned  of  the  Greek 
Church  poets;  and  his  fondness  for  types,  bold- 
ness in  their  application,  and  love  of  aggregating 
them,  make  him  the  Oriental  Adam  of  Saint 
Victor.  It  is  owing  partly  to  a  compressed  full- 
ness of  meaning,  very  uncommon  in  the  Greek 
poets  of  the  Church,  partly  to  the  unusual  harsh- 
ness and  contraction  of  his  phrases,  that  he  is  the 
hardest  of  ecclesiastical  bards  to  comprehend" 
(Neale). 

The  following  odes  we  give  in  Neale's  trans- 
lation : 


134  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Odes  on  the  Nativity 
I 

Xptarog  yevvdrat'  do^aGare 

Christ  is  born  !     Tell  forth  his  fame ! 
Christ  from  heaven  !     His  love  proclaim  ! 
Christ  on  earth !    Exalt  his  name ! 
Sing  to  the  Lord,  O  M^orld,  with  exultation ! 
Break  forth  in  glad  thanksgiving,  every  nation ! 
For  he  hath  triumphed  gloriously ! 

Man,  in  God's  own  image  made, 
Man,  by  Satan's  wiles  betrayed, 
Man,  on  whom  corruption  preyed, 
Shut  out  from  hope  of  life  and  of  salvation, 
To-day  Christ  maketh  him  a  new  creation. 
For  he  hath  triumphed  gloriously ! 

For  the  Maker,  when  his  foe 
Wrought  the  creature  death  and  woe. 
Bowed  the  heavens,  and  came  below. 
And,  in  the  Virgin's  womb  his  dwelling  making. 
Became  true  man,  man's  very  nature  taking; 
For  he  hath  triumphed  gloriously! 

He,  the  Wisdom,  Word,  and  Might, 
God,  and  Son,  and  Light  of  light. 
Undiscovered  by  the  sight 
Of  earthly  monarch,  or  infernal  spirit. 
Incarnate  was,  that  we  might  heaven  inherit; 
For  he  hath  triumphed  gloriously ! 

II 

To)  -rrpd  twv  alwvoiv 

Him,  of  the  Father's  very  Essence, 
Begotten,  ere  the  world  began. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  135 

And,  in  the  latter  time,  of  Mary, 

Without  a  human  sire,  made  Man: 
Unto  him,  this  glorious  morn. 

Be  the  strain  outpoured ! 
Thou  that  liftest  up  our  horn, 

Holy  art  thou,  Lord ! 


The  earthly  Adam,  erewhile  quickened 

By  the  blest  breath  of  God  on  high. 
Now  made  the  victim  of  corruption. 

By  woman's  guile  betrayed  to  die. 
He,  deceived  by  woman's  part, 

Supplication  poured. 
Thou,  who  in  my  nature  art. 

Holy  art  thou,  Lord ! 

Thou,  Jesus  Christ,  wast  consubstantial 

With  this  our  perishable  clay. 
And,  by  assuming  earthly  nature, 

Exaltedst  it  to  heavenly  day. 
Thou,  that  wast  as  mortal  born. 

Being  God  adored. 
Thou  that  liftest  up  our  horn. 

Holy  art  thou.  Lord ! 

Rejoice,  O  Bethlehem,  the  city 

Whence  Judah's  monarchs  had  their  birth; 
Where  He  that  sittest  on  the  cherubs. 

The  King  of  Israel,  came  on  earth: 
Manifested  this  blest  morn. 

As  of  old  time  never, 
He  hath  lifted  up  our  horn. 

He  shall  reign  forever ! 


136  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

III 
'PdpSog  k/c  TTjg  pi^fjg 

Rod  of  the  Root  of  Jesse, 

Thou,  Flower  of  Mary  born. 
From  that  thick  shady  mountain 

Cam'st  glorious  forth  this  morn : 
Of  her,  the  ever  Virgin, 

Incarnate  wast  thou  made. 
The  immaterial  Essence, 

The  God  by  all  obeyed ! 
Glory,  Lord,  thy  servants  pay 
To  thy  wondrous  might  to-day ! 

The  Gentiles'  expectation. 

Whom  Jacob's  words  foretell. 
Who  Syria's  pride  shalt  vanquish 

Samaria's  pride  shalt  quell : 
Thou  from  the  Root  of  Judah 

Like  some  fair  plant  dost  spring, 
To  turn  old  Gentile  error 

To  thee,  its  God  and  King ! 
Glory,  Lord,  thy  servants  pay 
To  thy  wondrous  might  to-day ! 

In  Balaam's  ancient  vision 

The  Eastern  seers  were  skilled; 
They  marked  the  constellations. 

And  joy  their  spirits  filled : 
For  thou,  bright  Star  of  Jacob, 

Arising  in  thy  might, 
Didst  call  these  Gentiles  first-fruits 

To  worship  in  thy  light. 
They,  in  holy  reverence  bent. 
Gifts  acceptable  present. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  137 

As  on  a  fleece  descending 

The  gentle  dews  distill. 
As  drops  the  earth  that  water. 

The  Virgin  didst  thou  fill. 
For  Media,  leagued  with  Sheba, 

Falls  down  and  worships  thee : 
Tarshish  and  Ethiopia, 

The  Isles  and  Araby. 
Glory,  Lord,  thy  servants  pay 
To  thy  wondrous  might  to-day  ! 


IV 
Qeog  t5v  elpTJvrjg 

Father  of  Peace,  and  God  of  Consolation ! 

The  angel  of  the  counsel  dost  thou  send 
To  herald  peace,  to  manifest  salvation. 

Thy  light  to  pour,  thy  knowledge  to  extend ; 
Whence,  with  the  morning's  earliest  rays. 
Lover  of  men !   thy  name  we  praise. 

'Midst  Caesar's  subjects  thou,  at  his  decreeing, 
Obey'dst  and  wast  enrolled :  our  mortal  race. 

To  sin  and  Satan  slave,  from  bondage  freeing, 
Our  poverty  in  all  points  didst  embrace : 

And  by  that  union  didst  combine 

The  earthly  with  the  All-Divine. 

Lo !  Mary,  as  the  world's  long  day  was  waning. 
Incarnate  Deity  conceived  and  bore; 

Virgin  in  birth,  and  after  birth,  remaining; 
And  man  to  God  is  reconciled  once  more: 

Wherefore  in  faith  her  name  we  bless, 

And  Mother  of  our  God  confess. 


138  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

V 

^irXdyxvcov  'Icjvdv 

As  Jonah,  issuing  from  his  three  days'  tomb. 
At  length  was  cast,  uninjured,  on  the  earth: 

So  from  the  Virgin's  unpolluted  womb 
The  Incarnate  Word,  that  dwelt  there,  had  his  birth; 

For  he,  who  knew  no  taint  of  mortal  stain, 

Willed  that  his  Mother  spotless  should  remain. 

Christ  comes.  Incarnate  God,  amongst  us  now, 

Begotten  of  the  Father  ere  the  day: 
And  he,  to  whom  the  sinless  legions  bow. 

Lies  cradled,  'midst  unconscious  beasts  on  hay: 
And,  by  his  homely  swaddling-bands  girt  in, 
Looses  the  many  fetters  of  our  sin. 

Now  the  new  Child  of  Adam's  race  draws  nigh, 
To  us,  the  faithful,  given:   this,  this  is  he 

That  shall  the  Father  of  Eternity, 

The  Angel  of  the  Mighty  Counsel,  be: 

This  the  eternal  God,  by  whose  strong  hands 

The  fabric  of  the  world  supported  stands. 


VI 

Ol  7Tal6eg  evae(3el^ 

The  Holy  Children  boldly  stand 
Against  the  tyrant's  fierce  command ; 
The  kindled  furnace  they  defy, — 
No  doom  can  shake  their  constancy: 
They  in  the  midmost  flame  confessed, 
"God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed !" 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  139 

The  shepherds  keep  their  flocks  by  night ; 
The  heaven  glows  out  with  wondrous  light; 
The  glory  of  the  Lord  is  there, 
The  angel-bands  their  King  declare : 
The  watchers  of  the  night  confessed, 
"God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed !" 

The  angel  ceased ;   and  suddenly 

Seraphic  legions  filled  the  sky : 

"Glory  to  God,"  they  cry  again. 

"Peace  upon  earth,  good  will  to  men: 

Christ  comes !" — And  they  that  heard  confessed, 

"God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed !" 

What  said  the  shepherds  ? — "Let  us  turn 
This  newborn  miracle  to  learn." 
To  Bethlehem's  gate  their  footsteps  drew: 
The  Mother  with  the  Child  they  view: 
They  knelt,  and  worshiped,  and  confessed, 
"God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blessed !" 

VII 

Qaviiaroq  vnepcpvovg 

The  dewy  freshness  that  the  furnace  flings 
Works  out  a  wondrous  type  of  future  things : 
Nor  did  the  flame  the  Holy  Three  consume, 
Nor  did  the  Godhead's  fire  thy  frame  entomb. 
Thou,  on  whose  bosom  hung  the  Word: 
Wherefore  we  cry  with  heart's  endeavor, 
"Let  all  creation  bless  the  Lord, 
And  magnify  his  name  forever !" 

Babel's  proud  daughter  once  led  David's  race 
From  Sion,  to  their  exile's  woeful  place : 


140  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

Babel  now  bids  her  wise  men,  gifts  in  hand, 
Before  King  David's  Royal  Daughter  stand. 
The  Mother  of  the  Incarnate  Word : 
Wherefore  we  cry  with  heart's  endeavor, 
"Let  all  creation  bless  the  Lord, 
And  magnify  his  name  forever !" 

From  music  grief  held  back  the  exile's  hand : 
"How  sing  the  Lord's  song  in  an  alien  land?" 
But  Babel's  exile  here  is  done  away. 
And  Bethlehem's  harmony  this  glorious  day 
By  thee,  Incarnate  God,  restored : 
Wherefore  we  cry  with  heart's  endeavor, 
"Let  all  creation  bless  the  Lord, 
And  magnify  his  name  forever !" 

Of  old  victorious  Babel  bore  away 
The  spoils  of  royal  Sion  and  her  prey: 
But  Babel's  treasure  now,  and  Babel's  kings, 
Christ,  by  the  guiding  star,  to  Sion  brings. 
There  have  they  knelt,  and  there  adored: 
Wherefore  we  cry  with  heart's  endeavor, 
"Let  all  creation  bless  the  Lord, 
And  magnify  his  name  forever !" 


VIII 

Mvarrjpiov  ^evov 

O  wondrous  mystery,  full  of  passing  grace! 

The  grot  becometh  heaven :   the  Virgin's  breast 
The  bright  cherubic  throne :  the  stall  that  place, 
Where  He,  who  fills  all  space,  vouchsafes  to  rest : 
Christ  our  God,  to  whom  we  raise 
Hymns  of  thankfulness  and  praise ! 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  141 

The  course  propitious  of  the  unknown  Star 

The  Wise-men  followed  on  its  heavenly  way, — 
Until  it  led  them,  beckoning  from  afar. 

To  where  the  Christ,  the  King  of  all  kings,  lay : 
Him  in  Bethlehem  they  find, 
Born  the  Saviour  of  mankind, 

"Where  is  the  Child,"  they  ask,  "the  newborn  King, 

Whose  herald-light  is  glittering  in  the  sky, — 
To  whom  our  offerings  and  our  praise  we  bring?" 
And  Herod's  heart  is  troubled  utterly. 
Armed  for  war  with  God,  in  vain 
Would  he  see  that  Infant  slain. 

Pentecostal  Ode 

UovTG)  eKakvips 
(Translated  by  Dix  in  "Lyra  Mystica,"  p.  203.) 

He  who  with  His  mighty  hand 
Breaks  the  battle  and  the  brand. 
Now  hath  buried  in  the  tide 
Egypt's  chariots  and  her  pride. 
Songs  of  victory  we  sing, 
Perished  are  her  host  and  king. 
Tell  the  triumph  far  and  wide, 
God  the  Lord  is  glorified. 

Thou  a  Light  on  earth  hath  shined, 
Christ,  the  Lover  of  mankind; 
Thou  the  Comforter  hast  sent, 
All  hath  found  accomplishment. 
Which  the  Law  and  Prophets  old 
In  the  ages  past  foretold; 
Every  promise,  every  word 
Which  thy  dear  disciples  heard. 


142  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

For  the  Holy  Spirit's  grace 
On  the  true  and  faithful  race 
Freely  hath  to-day  been  poured, 
From  the  world's  foundation  stored; 
Gladly  then  these  hymns  we  lift, 
Thankful  for  the  wondrous  Gift, 
Praising  as  is  right  and  meet, 
God  the  blessed  Paraclete. 


Stepben  tbe  Sabatte 

(A.  D.  725-794) 

Stephen  the  Sabaite  was  a  nephew  of  John  of 
Damascus,  and  spent  fifty-nine  years  in  the  con- 
vent of  Mar  Saba.  He  is  commemorated  on  the 
thirteenth  of  July.  "He  struck  the  keynote," 
says  Schaff,  "of  Neale's  exquisite  h3rmn  of  com- 
fort, 'Art  thou  weary,'  which  is  found  in  some 
editions  of  the  'Octoechus.'  He  is  the  inspirer 
rather  than  the  author  of  that  hymn,  which  is 
worthy  of  a  place  in  every  book  of  devotional 
poetry." 

KoTTOv  re  Koi 

Art  thou  weary,  art  thou  languid. 

Art  thou  sore  distressed? 
"Come  to  me,"  saith  One,  "and,  coming, 
Be  at  rest !" 

Hath  he  marks  to  lead  me  to  him. 

If  he  be  my  guide  ? 
"In  his  feet  and  hands  are  wound-prints, 
And  his  side." 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  143 

Is  there  diadem,  as  monarch, 

That  his  brow  adorns? 
"Yea,  a  crown,  in  very  surety. 
But  of  thorns !" 

If  I  find  him,  if  I  follow, 

What  his  guerdon  here? 
"Many  a  sorrow,  many  a  labor. 
Many  a  tear," 

If  I  still  hold  closely  to  him. 

What  hath  he  at  last? 
"Sorrow  vanquished,  labor  ended, 
Jordan  passed!" 

If  I  ask  him  to  receive  me. 

Will  he  say  me  nay? 
"Not  till  earth  and  not  till  heaven 
Pass  away !" 

Finding,  following,  keeping,  struggling. 

Is  he  sure  to  bless  ? 
"Angels,  martyrs,  prophets,  virgins, 
Answer,  Yes !" 


XTbeopbanes 

(A.  D.  759-820) 

Theophanes,  stirnamed  "the  Branded,"  holds 
the  third  place  among  Greek  Church  poets,  and  is 
one  of  the  most  prolific  of  Eastern  hymnogra- 
phers.  He  attended  the  second  Council  of  Nicasa 
(787).     During  the  reign  of  Leo  the  Arminian 


X44  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

(813)  he  stiff ered  imprisonment,  banishment,  and 
mutilation  for  his  devotion  to  the  icons,  and  died 
about  820.  Neale  remarks  that  in  Theophanes's 
writings  "we  first  see  that  which  has  been  the 
bane  and  ruin  of  later  Greek  poetry,  the  compo- 
sition of  hymns,  not  from  the  spontaneous  effu- 
sion of  the  heart,  but  because  they  were  wanted 
to  fiU  up  a  gap  in  the  Office-book." 

Adam's  Complaint 

"The  reader,"  says  Neale,  "can  hardly  fail  to  be 
struck  with  the  beautiful  idea  in  the  third  stanza, 
where  the  foliage  of  Paradise  is  asked  to  make 
intercession  for  Adam's  recall.  The  last  stanza 
Milton,  as  a  universal  scholar,  doubtless  had  in 
his  eye  in  Eve's  lamentation."  Schaff  thinks  that 
this  is  very  doubtful. 

'O  TrXdaTTjg  fiov  Kvpiog 

"The  Lord  my  Maker,  forming  me  of  clay. 

By  his  own  breath,  the  breath  of  life  conveyed : 
O'er  all  the  bright  new  world  he  gave  me  sway, — 

A  little  lower  than  the  angels  made. 
But  Satan,  using  for  his  guile 
The  crafty  serpent's  cruel  wile. 

Deceived  me  by  the  tree ; 
And  severed  me  from  God  and  grace, 
And  wrought  me  death,  and  all  my  race 

As  long  as  time  shall  be. 
O  Lover  of  the  sons  of  men ! 
Forgive,  and  call  me  back  again ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  145 

"In  that  same  hour  I  lost  the  glorious  stole 

Of  innocence,  that  God's  own  hands  had  made ; 
And  now,  the  tempter  poisoning  all  my  soul, 

I  sit,  in  fig  leaves  and  in  skins  arrayed: 
I  sit  condemned,  distressed,  forsaken; 
Must  till  the  ground,  whence  I  was  taken, 

By  labor's  daily  sweat. 
But  Thou,  that  shalt  hereafter  come. 
The  ofifspring  of  a  virgin  womb, 

Have  pity  on  me  yet ! 
O,  turn  on  me  those  gracious  eyes, 
And  call  me  back  to  Paradise  1 

"O  glorious  Paradise  !     O  lovely  clime ! 

O  God-built  mansion  !    Joy  of  every  saint ! 
Happy  remembrance  to  all  coming  time ! 

Whisper,  with  all  thy  leaves,  in  cadence  faint, 
One  prayer  to  Him  who  made  them  all. 
One  prayer  for  Adam  in  his  fall ! — 
That  He,  who  formed  thy  gates  of  yore, 
Would  bid  those  gates  unfold  once  more 

That  I  had  closed  by  sin : 
And  let  me  taste  that  holy  tree 
That  giveth  immortality 

To  them  that  dwell  therein ! 
Or  have  I  fallen  so  far  from  grace 
That  mercy  hath  for  me  no  place  ?" 

Adam  sat  right  against  the  eastern  gate, 

By  many  a  storm  of  sad  remembrance  tossed : 

"O  me !    so  ruined  by  the  serpent's  hate ! 
O  me !   so  glorious  once,  and  now  so  lost ! 

So  mad  that  bitter  lot  to  choose ! 

Beguiled  of  all  I  had  to  lose ! 

Must  I  then,  gladness  of  my  eyes, — 
10 


146  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

Must  I  then  leave  thee,  Paradise, 

And  as  an  exile  go? 
And  must  I  never  cease  to  grieve 
How  once  my  God,  at  cool  of  eve. 

Came  down  to  walk  below? 
O  Merciful !    on  thee  I  call : 
O  Pitiful !    forgive  my  fall !" 


Ubeot)ore  of  tbe  StuMum 

(Died  A.  D.  826) 

Theodore  of  the  Studium  (a  celebrated  convent 
near  Constantinople)  is  distinguished  for  his  suf- 
ferings in  the  iconoclastic  controversy,  and  died  in 
exile,  November  11,  826. 

Odes  on  the  Advent 
I 

T'^v  fjfiEpav  TTjv  (fygiicTijv 

That  fearful  day,  that  day  of  speechless  dread. 
When  Thou  shalt  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  dead — 

I  shudder  to  foresee, 

O  God,  what  then  shall  be ! 

When  thou  shalt  come,  angelic  legions  round. 
With  thousand  thousands,  and  with  trumpet  sound, 

Christ,  grant  me  in  the  air 

With  saints  to  meet  thee  there ! 

Weep,  O  my  soul,  ere  that  great  hour  and  day. 
When  God  shall  shine  in  manifest  array. 

Thy  sin,  that  thou  mayst  be 

In  that  strict  judgment  free ! 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  147 

The  terror! — hell-fire  fierce  and  unsufficed: 

The  bitter  worm :  the  gnashing  teeth : — O  Christ, 

Forgive,  remit,  protect; 

And  set  me  with  the  elect! 

That  I  may  hear  the  blessed  voice  that  calls 
The  righteous  to  the  joy  of  heavenly  halls: 

And,  King  of  heaven,  may  reach 

The  realm  that  passeth  speech ! 

Enter  thou  not  in  judgment  with  each  deed, 
Nor  each  intent  and  thought  in  strictness  read : 

Forgive,  and  save  me  then, 

O  thou  that  lovest  men ! 

Thee,  One  in  Three  blest  Persons !    Lord  o'er  all ! 
Essence  of  essence.  Power  of  power,  we  call : 

Save  us,  O  Father,  Son, 

And  Spirit,  ever  One ! 

II 

'O  Kvpiog  ep;^;£Taf 

God  comes; — and  who  shall  stand  before  his  fear? 
Who  bide  his  presence,  when  he  draweth  near? 

My  soul,  my  soul,  prepare 

To  kneel  before  him  there! 

Haste,  weep,  be  reconciled  to  him  before 
The  fearful  judgment  knocketh  at  the  door: 

Where,  in  the  Jvidge's  eyes, 

All  bare  and  naked  lies. 

Have  mercy,  Lord,  have  mercy,  Lord,  I  cry. 
When  with  thine  angels  thou  appear'st  on  high : 


X48  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

And  each  shall  doom  inherit. 
According  to  his  merit. 

How  can  I  bear  thy  fearful  anger,  Lord? 
I,  that  so  often  have  transgressed  thy  word? 

But  put  my  sins  away. 

And  spare  me  in  that  day ! 

O  miserable  soul,  return,  lament. 
Ere  earthly  converse  end,  and  life  be  spent: 
Ere,  time  for  sorrow  o'er, 
The  Bridegroom  close  the  door ! 

Yea,  I  have  sinned,  as  no  man  sinned  beside: 
With  more  than  human  guilt  my  soul  is  dyed:* 

But  spare,  and  save  me  here, 

Before  that  day  appear ! 

Three  Persons  in  One  Essence  uncreate, 
On  whom,  both  Three  and  One,  our  praises  wait, 
Give  everlasting  light 
To  them  that  sing  thy  might ! 


Ill 

The  day  is  near,  the  judgment  is  at  hand, 
Awake,  my  soul,  awake,  and  ready  stand ! 
Where  chiefs  shall  go  with  them  that  filled  the  throne. 
Where  rich  and  poor  the  same  tribunal  own; 

And  every  thought  and  deed 

Shall  find  its  righteous  meed. 

There  with  the  sheep  the  shepherd  of  the  fold 
Shall  stand  together;  there  the  young  and  old; 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  r49 

Master  and  slave  one  doom  shall  undergo ; 
Widow  and  maiden  one  tribunal  know. 

Oh,  woe,  oh,  woe,  to  them 

Whom  lawless  lives  condemn  ! 

That  judgment-seat,  impartial  in  decree. 

Accepts  no  bribe,  admits  no  subtlety: 

No  orator  persuasion  may  exert, 

No  perjured  witness  wrong  to  right  convert: 

But  all  things,  hid  in  night. 

Shall  then  be  dragged  to  light. 

Let  me  not  enter  in  the  land  of  woe ; 
Let  me  not  realms  of  outer  darkness  know ! 
Nor  from  the  wedding  feast  reject  Thou  me, 
For  my  soiled  vest  of  immortality; 

Bound  hand  and  foot,  and  cast 

In  anguish  that  shall  last! 

When  Thou,  the  nations  ranged  on  either  side, 
The  righteous  from  the  sinners  shall  divide. 
Then  give  me  to  be  found  amongst  thy  sheep, 
Then  from  the  goats  thy  trembling  servant  keep : 

That  I  may  hear  the  voice 

That  bids  thy  saints  rejoice  ! 

When  righteous  inquisition  shall  be  made. 
And  the  books  opened,  and  the  thrones  arrayed. 
My  soul,  what  plea  to  shield  thee  canst  thou  know. 
Who  hast  no  fruit  of  righteousness  to  show, 

No  holy  deeds  to  bring 

To  Christ  the  Lord  and  King? 

I  hear  the  rich  man's  wail  and  bitter  cry, 
Out  of  the  torments  of  eternity; 


150  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

I  know,  beholding  that  devouring  flame. 
My  guilt  and  condemnation  are  the  same; 
And  spare  me.  Lord,  I  say. 
In  the  great  judgment  day! 

The  Word  and  Spirit,  with  the  Father  One, 
One  light  and  emanation  of  one  Sun, 
The  Word  by  generation,  we  adore, 
The  Spirit  by  procession,  evermore ; 
And  with  creation  raise 
The  thankful  hymn  of  praise. 


IV 
'O  Kvptog  ep;^;£Tat 

The  Lord  draws  nigh,  the  righteous  throne's  Assessor, 
The  just  to  save,  to  punish  the  transgressor: 

Weep  we,  and  mourn,  and  pray, 

Regardful  of  that  day; 
When  all  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  shall  be 
Lit  with  the  blaze  of  full  eternity. 

Clouds  and  thick  darkness  o'er  the  Mount  assembling, 
Moses  beheld  the  Eternal's  glory,  trembling: 

And  yet  he  might  but  see 

God's  feebler  majesty. 
And  I — I  needs  must  view  his  fullest  face: — 
O,  spare  me,  Lord !    O,  take  me  to  thy  grace  ! 

David  of  old  beheld,  in  speechless  terror. 
The  session  of  the  Judge — the  doom  of  error: 

And  what  have  I  to  plead 

For  mercy  in  my  need? 
Nothing  save  this:   O,  grant  me  yet  to  be. 
Ere  that  day  come,  renewed  and  true  to  thee ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  151 

Here,  fires  of  deep  damnation  roar  and  glitter : 
The  worm  is  deathless,  and  the  cup  is  bitter : 

There,  day  that  hath  no  morrow. 

And  joy  that  hath  no  sorrow: 
And  who  so  blest  that  he  shall  fly  the  abyss. 
Raised  up  to  God's  right  hand,  and  speechless  bliss  ! 

My  soul  with  many  an  act  of  sin  is  wounded : 
With  mortal  weakness  is  my  frame  surrounded : 

My  life  is  well-nigh  o'er: 

The  Judge  is  at  the  door : 
How  wilt  thou,  miserable  spirit,  fare. 
What  time  he  sends  his  summons  through  the  air  ? 

XaptOTiJQLov  (hdrjv 

This  canon  for  "Orthodoxy  Sunday,"  or  "The 
First  Sunday  in  Lent,"  is  kept  in  memory,  prima- 
rily, of  the  first  triumph  of  the  Church  over  the 
iconoclasts  in  842,  and  incidentally  of  her  victory 
over  all  other  heresies.  Neale  in  his  prefatory 
note  to  the  canon  says:  "The  following  canon  is 
ascribed  to  Theodore  of  the  Studium,  although 
Baronius  has  thought  that  it  cannot  be  his,  be- 
cause it  implies  that  peace  was  restored  to  the 
Church,  whereas  that  hymnographer  died  while 
the  persecution  still  continued.  Very  possibly, 
however,  it  was  written  on  the  temporary  victory 
of  the  Church,  which  did  occur  in  the  time  of 
Saint  Theodore;  and  then,  in  842,  may  have  been 
lengthened  and  adapted  to  the  then  state  of 
things,  perhaps  by  Naucratius,  the  favorite  dis- 
ciple of  Saint  Theodore"  ("Hymns  of  the  Eastern 


152  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Church,"  2nd  ed.,  1863,  p.  113).     The  translation 
which  we  subjoin  is  by  Neale: 

The  Lord,  the  Lord  hath  triumphed. 

Let  all  the  world  rejoice  ! 
Hushed  is  the  turmoil,  silent 

His  servants'  tearful  voice : 
And  the  one  faith,  the  true  faith, 

Goes  forth  from  east  to  west. 
Enfolding  in  its  beauty. 

The  earth  as  with  a  vest. 

They  rise,  the  sleepless  watchmen 

Upon  the  Church's  wall, 
With  yearning  supplication 

On  God,  the  Lord,  they  call: 
And  he,  though  long  time  silent, 

Bows  down  a  gracious  ear 
His  people's  earnest  crying 

And  long  complaint  to  hear. 

Sing,  sing  of  joy,  each  desert ! 

Exult,  each  realm  of  earth  ! 
Ye  mountains,  drop  down  sweetness. 

Ye  hillocks,  leap  for  mirth  ! 
For  Christ  the  Lord,  bestowing 

His  blessed  peace  on  men. 
In  faith's  most  holy  union 

Shall  knit  his  Church  again. 

O  Lord  of  loving-kindness. 

How  wondrous  are  thy  ways ! 
What  tongue  of  man  suffices 

Thy  gentleness  to  praise ; 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  153 

Because  of  thy  dear  Person 

Men  dared  thy  saints  to  kill, 
Yet  didst  thou  not  consume  them. 

Bearing  their  insults  still. 

Thou  who  hast  fixed  unshaken 

Thy  Church's  mighty  frame. 
That  gates  of  hell  shall  never 

Prevail  against  the  same. 
Bestow  upon  thy  people 

Thy  peace,  that  we  may  bring 
One  voice,  one  hymn,  one  spirit. 

To  glorify  our  King.    Amen. 


/IDetboMus  "ff 

(Died  A.  D.  846) 

Methodius  I  was  a  native  of  Syracuse,  and  em- 
braced the  monastic  life  at  Constantinople.  Sent 
as  legate  from  Pope  Paschal  to  Michael  the  Stam- 
merer, he  was  imprisoned  by  that  prince  in  a 
close  cell,  and  there  passed  nine  years,  on  account 
of  his  resolute  defense  of  icons.  Having  been 
scourged  for  the  same  cause  by  the  Emperor 
Theophilus,  he  made  his  escape  from  prison ;  and 
when  peace  was  restored  to  the  Church  was 
raised  to  the  throne  of  Constantinople.  He  died 
November  4,  846.  Neale  gives  one  of  his  compo- 
sitions as  follows : 


154  HYMNS   AND    POETRY   OF 

EZ  Kai  TO,  TTagovra 

Are  thy  toils  and  woes  increasing? 
Are  the  foe's  attacks  unceasing? 

Look  with  faith  unclouded. 

Gaze  with  eyes  unshrouded. 
On  the  Cross ! 

Dost  thou  fear  that  strictest  trial  ? 

Tremblest  thou  at  Christ's  denial? 
Never  rest  without  it, 
Clasp  thine  hands  about  it, — 
That  dear  Cross ! 

Diabolic  legions  press  thee? 

Thoughts  and  works  of  sin  distress  thee  ? 

It  shall  chase  all  terror. 

It  shall  right  all  error, — 
That  sweet  Cross! 

Draw'st  thou  nigh  to  Jordan's  river? 
Should'st  thou  tremble ?    Need'st  thou  quiver? 

No  !   if  by  it  lying, — 

No  !  if  on  it  dying, — 
On  the  Cross ! 

Say  then, — "Master,  while  I  cherish 
That  sweet  hope,  I  cannot  perish ! 

After  this  life's  story, 

Give  thou  me  the  glory 
For  the  Cross !" 


5o0epb  ot  tbe  Stu&ium 

(Died  A.  D.  883) 
Joseph,  called ' '  Hymnographus, ' '  is  the  most  pro- 
lific, most  bombastic,  and  most  tedious  of  Greek 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  155 

hymn  writers.  He  was  a  Sicilian  by  birth,  at 
last  keeper  of  the  sacred  vessels  (sceuophylax)  in 
the  Great  Church  at  Constantinople. 

The  original  from  which  this  cento  is  taken  is 
the  canon  for  the  deacon  Saint  Timothy  and  his 
wife,  Saint  Maura,  whose  martyrdom  is  commem- 
orated by  the  Church  of  Constantinople  on  May 
3.  Kingsley's  "Santa  Maura"  describes  in  popu- 
lar form  this  martyrdom  of  Timothy  and  Maura. 
The  translation  which  we  subjoin  is  by  Neale: 

Let  our  choir  new  anthems  raise. 

Wake  the  morn  with  gladness ; 
God  himself  to  joy  and  praise 

Turns  the  martyr's  sadness : 
This  the  day  that  won  their  crown. 

Opened  heaven's  bright  portal, 
As  they  laid  the  mortal  down 

And  put  on  the  immortal. 

Never  flinched  they  from  the  flame. 

From  the  torture,  never; 
Vain  the  foeman's  sharpest  aim, 

Satan's  best  endeavor : 
For  by  faith  they  saw  the  land 

Decked  in  all  its  glory. 
Where  triumphant  now  they  stand 

With  the  victor's  story. 

Faith  they  had  that  knew  not  shame, 

Love  that  could  not  languish ; 
And  eternal  hope  o'ercame 

Momentary  anguish: 


156  HYMNS   AND    POETRY    OF 

He  who  trod  the  selfsame  road, 
Death  and  hell  defeated; 

Wherefore  these  their  passions  showed 
Calvary  repeated. 

Up  and  follow,  Christian  men  ! 

Press  through  toil  and  sorrow  ! 
Spurn  the  night  of  fear,  and  then, — 

O  the  glorious  morrow ! 
Who  will  venture  on  the  strife  ? 

Blest  who  first  begin  it ! 
Who  will  grasp  the  Land  of  Life? 

Warriors  !  up  and  win  it ! 

For  Ascension  Day 
I 

Jesus,  Lord  of  Life  eternal. 

Taking  those  he  loved  the  best, 

Stood  upon  the  Mount  of  Olives, 
And  his  own  the  last  time  blest. 

Then  though  he  had  never  left  it, 
Sought  again  his  Father's  breast. 

Knit  is  now  our  flesh  to  Godhead, 
Knit  in  everlasting  bands : 

Call  the  world  to  highest  festal : 
Floods  and  oceans,  clap  your  hands : 

Angels,  raise  the  song  of  triumph : 
Make  response,  ye  distant  lands. 

Loosing  death  with  all  its  terrors. 
Thou  ascendest  up  on  high; 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  157 

And  to  mortals,  now  immortal, 

Gavest  immortality, 
As  thine  own  disciples  saw  thee 

Mounting  Victor  to  the  sky. 


II 

<p(i)Teiv7iae,  (f>(bg 

Wafting  Him  up  on  high, 
The  glorious  cloud  receives 

The  Lord  of  Immortality, 
And  earth  the  Victor  leaves: 

The  heavenly  people  raise  the  strain. 

The  apostles  pour  the  hymn  again — 
God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blest ! 

Ye  faithful,  tell  your  joys  ! 

All  hearts  with  gladness  bound, 
God  is  gone  up  with  a  merry  noise, 

The  Lord  with  the  trumpet's  sound ! 
To  him  we  cry,  by  woes  once  tried. 
Now  glorious  at  the  Father's  side — 

God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blest ! 

Zealous  for  God  of  yore, 

With  zeal  still  Moses  burns: 

Come,  heavenly  spirits,  and  adore 
The  Victor  who  returns : 

Rise,  angel  legions,  rise  and  sing 

The  ancient  hymn  to  greet  the  King — 
God  of  our  fathers,  thou  art  blest ! 


158  HYMNS   AND    POETRY   OF 

III 

''Endgare  irvXdg 

Exalt,  exalt,  the  heavenly  gates, 

Ye  chiefs  of  mighty  name, 
The  Lord  and  King  of  all  things  waits, 

Enrobed  in  earthly  frame. 
So  to  the  higher  seats  they  cry, 
The  humbler  legions  of  the  sky. 

For  Adam's  sake,  by  serpent  guile 
Distressed,  deceived,  o'erthrown, 

Thou  left'st  thy  native  home  awhile. 
Thou  left'st  the  Father's  throne : 

Now  he  is  decked  afresh  with  grace, 

Thou  seek'st  once  more  the  heavenly  place. 

Glad  festal  keeps  the  earth  to-day. 
Glad  festal  heaven  is  keeping: 

The  ascension-pomp  in  bright  array. 
Goes  proudly  skyward  sweeping: 

The  Lord  the  mighty  deed  hath  done, 

And  joined  the  severed  into  one. 

IV 
Tdv  kv  6vai  ralg 

Of  twofold  natures,  Christ,  the  Giver 

Of  immortality  and  love, 
Ascendeth  to  the  Father's  glory, 

Ascendeth  to  the  throne  above: 
Wherefore  he,  this  glorious  morn. 

Be  by  all  adored: 
Thou   that  liftest  up  our  horn, 

Holy  art  thou,  Lord ! 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  159 

Slaves  are  set  free,  and  captives  ransomed : 

The  nature  that  he  made  at  first 
He  now  presenteth  to  the  Father, 

The  chains  of  her  damnation  burst: 
This  the  cause  that  he  was  born, 

Adam's  race  restored: 
Thou  that  liftest  up  our  horn. 

Holy  art  thou.  Lord  ! 

Emptied  awhile  of  all  his  brightness, 

He  entered  thus  the  glorious  fight; 
O'erthrew  the  foe,  mankind  exalted 

Far  above  every  power  and  might : 
Therefore  bare  he  pains  and  scorn, 

Calvary's  heart -blood  poured: 
Thou  that  liftest  up  our  horn. 

Holy  art  thou,  Lord ! 


V 

*Aveari]g  rpiTJfiepog 

After  three  days  Thou  didst  rise 
Visible  to  mortal  eyes : 
First  the  Eleven  worshiped  thee, — 
Then  the  rest  in  Galilee: 
Then  a  cloud  in  glory  bore 
Thee  to  thine  own  native  shore. 

Boldly  David  poured  the  strain — 
God  ascends  to  heaven  again : 
With  the  trumpet's  pealing  note 
Alleluias  round  him  float. 
As  he  now,  by  hard-won  right. 
Seeks  the  fount  of  purest  light. 


i6o  HYMNS    AND    POETRY    OF 

Crime  on  crime,  and  grief  on  grief, 
Left  the  world  without  relief : 
Now  that  aged,  languid  race 
God  hath  quickened  by  his  grace : 
As  thy  going  up  we  see, 
Glory  to  thy  glory  be. 


Ubeoctistvis  of  tbe  Stubfum 

(Died  about  A.  D.  890) 

Theoctistus  is  the  author  of  a  "SuppHant  Canon 
to  Jesus,"  the  only  thing  known  of  him,  but,  as 
Schaff  remarks,  "the  sweetest  Jesus-hymn  of  the 
Greek  Church." 

'Itjcov  yXvKVTars 

Jesu,  name  all  names  above, 

Jesu,  best  and  dearest, 
Jesu,  fount  of  perfect  love. 

Holiest,  tenderest,  nearest; 
Jesu,  source  of  grace  completest, 
Jesu,  purest,  Jesu,  sweetest; 
Jesu,  well  of  power  divine. 
Make  me,  keep  me,  seal  me  thine ! 

Jesu,  open  me  the  gate 

That  of  old  he  entered, 
Who,  in  that  most  lost  estate, 

Wholly  on  thee  ventured; 
Thou,  whose  wounds  are  ever  pleading. 
And  thy  Passion  interceding. 
From  my  misery  let  me  rise 
To  a  home  in  paradise ! 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  i6i 

Thou  didst  call  the  prodigal ; 

Thou  didst  pardon  Mary: 
Thou  whose  words  can  never  fall. 

Love  can  never  vary : 
Lord,  to  heal  my  lost  condition. 
Give — for  thou  canst  give — contrition ; 
Thou  canst  pardon  all  my  ill 
If  thou  wilt:   O  say,  "I  will!" 

Woe,  that  I  have  turned  aside 

After  fleshly  pleasure ! 
Woe,  that  I  have  never  tried 

For  the  heavenly  treasure ! 
Treasure,  safe  in  home  supernal; 
Incorruptible,  eternal ! 
Treasure  no  less  price  hath  won 
Than  the  Passion  of  the  Son  ! 

Jesu,  crowned  with  thorns  for  me. 

Scourged  for  my  transgression. 
Witnessing,  through  agony. 

That  thy  good  confession  ! 
Jesu,  clad  in  purple  raiment. 
For  my  evils  making  payment; 
Let  not  all  thy  woe  and  pain, 
Let  not  Calvary,  be  in  vain ! 

When  I  reach  death's  bitter  sea 

And  its  waves  roll  higher. 
Help  the  more  forsaking  me 

As  the  storm  draws  nigher: 
Jesu,  leave  me  not  to  languish. 
Helpless,  hopeless,  full  of  anguish! 
Tell  me,  "Verily  I  say. 
Thou  shalt  be  with  me  to-day !" 
11 


i63  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

/IDetropbanes  of  Smi^rna 

(Died  about  A.  D.  910) 
Metrophanes  of  Smyrna  was  bishop  of  that  see, 
says  Neale,  toward  the  close  of  the  ninth  centiiry, 
and  is  principally  famous  for  his  canons  in  honor 
of  the  Blessed  Trinity,  sung  at  matins  on  Sun- 
days, of  which  Neale  gives  the  following  specimen : 
Tpi^eyyi]g  Movdg 

O  Unity  of  Threefold  Light, 

Send  out  thy  loveliest  ray. 
And  scatter  our  transgressions'  night. 

And  turn  it  into  day; 
Make  us  those  temples  pure  and  fair. 

Thy  glory  loveth  well. 
The  spotless  tabernacle,  where 

Thou  may'st  vouchsafe  to  dwell ! 

The  glorious  hosts  of  peerless  might 

That  ever  see  thy  face. 
Thou  mak'st  the  mirrors  of  thy  Light, 

The  vessels  of  thy  grace: 
Thou  when  their  wondrous  strain  they  weave 

Hast  pleasure  in  the  lay : 
Deign  thus  our  praises  to  receive. 

Albeit  from  lips  of  clay ! 

And  yet  thyself  they  cannot  know. 

Nor  pierce  the  veil  of  light 
That  hides  thee  from  the  thrones  below. 

As  in  profoundest  night : 
How  then  can  mortal  accents  frame 

Due  tribute  to  the  King? 
Thou,  only,  while  we  praise  thy  name, 

Forgive  us  as  we  sing! 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  163 

Simeon  /iDetapbrastes 

(A.  D.  886-959?) 

This  writer,  who  is  especially  known  for  his 
"Lives  of  the  Saints,"  was  secretary  and  chancel- 
lor of  the  imperial  court  at  Constantinople,  and 
lived  at  the  end  of  the  tenth  century.  He  wrote 
a  "lament"  of  Mary  on  embracing  the  Lord's  body, 
which  we  subjoin  in  the  translation  of  Dix  in 
"Lyra  Mystica,"  p.  36;  another  is  made  by  Mrs. 
Browning. 

O  thou  uncovered  Corse,  Word  of  the  Living  One, 
Self-doomed  to  be  uplifted  on  the  bitter  tree. 

Thereon  to  die,  thy  patient  will.  Eternal  Son, 
And  thence  in  love  draw  all  men  unto  thee. 

Which  of  thy  holy  members  is  w^ithout  a  v^^ound  ? 

The  thorny  wreath  thy  blessed  brow  embraces  last ; 
No  place  whereon  to  lay  thee,  weary  head,  was  found — 

But  thou  shalt  rest  within  a  tomb  at  last. 

O  lips,  which  once  with  sweetest  words  did  overflow. 
Fresh  from  sharp  vinegar  and  bitterness  of  gall ; 

O  cheeks,  how  often  turned  to  many  a  smiter's  blow, 
And  spat  upon  in  Pilate's  judgment  hall. 

By  hands  of  men  made  helpless  on  the  dreadful  beam, 
O  hands  of  man  creative,  how  were  ye  pierced  through ; 

Yet  all  outstretched,  ye  reach  e'en  Hades  to  redeem. 
And  give  the  first  transgressor  help  anew. 

O  mouth  all  sweet,  no  guile  was  ever  found  in  thee, 
And  yet,  alas !  by  traitorous  kiss  wast  thou  betrayed ; 

O  blessed  feet,  that  walking  on  the  stormy  sea 
All  water  hallowed  as  the  waves  obeyed. 


i64  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

Where  is  the  chorus  of  thy  sick  ones,  O  my  Son, 

All  those  infirm  whom  thou  didst  heal, the  upraised  dead? 

To  draw  the  nails  from  hands  and  feet,  there  came  not  one 
Of  all  the  crowds  whom  thou  hast  comforted. 

Only  came  Nicodemus,  he  who  sought  by  night, 

And  Joseph  kind,  whose  rocky  tomb  thy  bed  shall  be, 

Whither  to  sleep  a  lion's  sleep  in  awful  night, 
My  Son,  how  soon  will  they  be  bearing  thee. 

Now  thou  art  borne  to  me  from  yon  sharp  cross  of  pain, 
And  heavily  upon  these  Mother-arms  art  laid; 

These  arms  which  bare  thee  long  ago,  and  once  again 
A  lowly  resting  place  for  thee  are  made. 

I,  who  first  swathed  thee,  thy  graveclothes  now  will  bind, 
Giver  of  Life,  thou  liest  dead  before  me  now : 

Tears  laved  thee  at  thy  birth ;   far  hotter  tears  I  find 
To  wash  the  death-drops  from  thy  pallid  brow. 

High  in  these  arms  maternal  thou  didst  leap, 

Thou  who  wast  born  of  me,  this  weary  world  to  save ; 

O  bitter  funerals !  that  I,  who  hushed  thy  sleep, 
Must  wail  this  doleful  passion  o'er  thy  grave. 


Hnonpmous  IHi^mns  of  tbe  Xater  IPerfoD 

'Idoif  b  vvfKptog  epx^'TO''- 

(Midnight  hymn,  translated  by  G.  Moultrie,  "Lyra  Messianica," 
p.  50;  "People's  Hymnal,"  No.  10.) 

Behold,  the  Bridegroom  cometh  in  the  middle  of  the  night, 
And  blest  is  he  whose  loins  are  girt,  whose  lamp  is  burn- 
ing bright; 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  165 

But  woe  to  that  dull  servant,  whom  his  Master  shall  sur- 
prise 

With  lamp  untrimmed,  unburning,  and  with  slumber  in  his 
eyes. 

Do  thou,  my  soul,  beware,  beware  lest  thou  in  sleep  sink 

down. 
Lest  thou  be  given  o'er  to  death,  and  lose  the  golden 

crown ; 
But  see  that  thou  be  sober,  with  watchful  eyes,  and  thus 
Cry :   "Holy,  holy,  holy  God,  have  mercy  upon  us !" 

That  day,  the  day  of  fear,  shall  come :  my  soul,  slack  not 

thy  toil. 
But  light  thy  lamp,  and  feed  it  well,  and  make  it  bright 

with  oil ; 
Who  knowest  not  how  soon  may  sound  the  cry  at  eventide. 
Behold,  the  Bridegroom  comes !    Arise !    Go  forth  to  meet 

the  Bride. 

Beware,  my  soul ;  take  thou  good  heed,  lest  thou  in  slum- 
ber lie. 

And  like  the  five,  remain  without,  and  knock,  and  vainly 
cry; 

But  watch,  and  bear  thy  lamp  undimmed,  and  Christ  shall 
gird  thee  on 

His  own  bright  wedding-robe  of  light, — the  glory  of  the 
Son. 

'Tfxvovfiiv  aov  Xptare 

(Por  the  "Sunday  of  Easter,"  translated  by  W.  C.  Dix,  "Lyra 
Messianica,"  p.  277.) 

Christ,  we  sing  thy  saving  Passion, 

Thine  arising  glorify: 
Death  forever  to  abolish. 

Thou  upon  the  cross  didst  die. 


i66  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

Then  from  Hades  thou  didst  hasten, 

As  alone  Omnipotent: 
Grant  us  peace  in  life,  Redeemer, 

Joy  when  earthly  life  is  spent. 

Sing  we  now  thy  condescension, 

Christ,  with  God  the  Father  One ; 
We  in  lofty  hymns  will  praise  thee, 

Mary-Mother's  blessed  Son. 
Thou  for  us  as  Man  didst  suffer. 

Willingly  the  cross  didst  bear. 
That  thy  resurrection  glory 

We,  the  sons  of  men,  may  share. 

Coming,  as  from  bridal  chamber. 

Robed  with  orient  morning  light. 
Bringing  to  the  world  salvation. 

Spoiling  hell  of  all  her  might; 
Raising,  by  thy  resurrection, 

Man  to  dignity  most  high : 
Christ,  may  we,  with  pure  thanksgiving. 

Thee  forever  glorify.     Amen. 

Xrjfiepov  (Twe^ei  rdfpog 

(From  the  Office  for  Easter  Eve,  translated  by  Littledale,  "Peo- 
ple's Hymnal,"  No.  iii.) 

The  sepulcher  is  holding 

To-day  within  its  band 
The  Lord,  who  holds  creation 

Within  his  strong  right  hand. 

To-day  a  stone  is  hiding 

From  gaze  of  mortal  eye 
The  Lord,  whose  glory  hideth 

The  brightness  of  the  sky. 


THE   EASTERN    CHURCH  167 

The  Life  of  all  is  sleeping, 

But  hell  is  quaking  sore, 
And  Adam  bursts  the  fetters 

Which  prisoned  him  before. 

All  praise  to  thee.  Lord  Jesu, 

Whose  providence  of  love 
Hath  won  for  us,  thy  people. 

The  Sabbath  rest  above. 

To  Christ,  the  King  of  Glory, 

Who  in  the  tomb  was  laid, 
To  Father  and  to  Spirit, 

Eternal  laud  be  paid.    Amen. 


(For  the  Holy  Communion.  This  is  the  "Prayer  of  the  Cherubic 
Hymn"  found  in  the  Liturgy  of  Saint  James.  The  translation  is  by 
Moultrie,  and  is  found  in  the  "Lyra  Eucharistica"  and  "The  Peo- 
ple's Hymnal.") 

Let  all  mortal  flesh  keep  silence,  and  with  fear  and  trem- 
bling stand; 

Ponder  nothing  earthly-minded,  for  with  blessing  in  his 
Hand 

Christ  our  God  to  earth  descendeth,  our  full  homage  to 
demand. 

King  of  kings,  yet  born  of  Mary,  as  of  old  on  earth  he 

stood, 
Lord  of  lords,  in  human  vesture — in  the  body  and  the 

blood — 
He  will  give  to  all  the  faithful  his  own  self  for  heavenly 

food. 


i68  HYMNS   AND   POETRY    OF 

Rank  on  rank  the  host  of  heaven  spreads  its  vanguard  on 
the  way, 

As  the  Light  of  Light  descendeth  from  the  realms  of  end- 
less day, 

That  the  powers  of  hell  may  vanish  as  the  darkness  clears 
away. 

At  his  feet  the  six-winged  seraph-cherubim,  with  sleepless 

eye, 
Veil  their  faces  to  the  Presence,  as  with  ceaseless  voice 

they  cry, 
"Alleluia,  Alleluia,  Alleluia,  Lord  Most  High." 

'Qg  Selog  TTorafiog 

(In  the  Greek  Office  of  Prayer  Oil.  In  "The  People's  Hymnal" 
it  is  appointed  for  a  "Time  of  Pestilence,"  for  which  it  is  most  suit 
able.) 

Christ,  Mercy's  holy  River, 

Christ,  Love's  unfathomed  Sea, 
In  pity,  Lord,  deliver 

The  faint  who  turn  to  thee. 

Thy  wonders  on  us  pouring. 

Our  souls  from  evil  lave. 
Who  come  with  prayer  imploring. 

And  cry  to  thee  to  save. 

O  Helper  and  Physician 

Of  them  whom  sickness  pains, 

O  Giver  of  remission 
From  all  disease's  chains. 

Grant  thy  weak  servants  healing, 

Thou  King  and  Lord  of  all. 
Bend  down  to  our  appealing, 

And  hear  us  when  we  call. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  169 

Christ,  ransom  from  transgression 

This  erring  flock  of  thine, 
That  we,  with  glad  confession, 

May  praise  thy  might  divine. 


'O  veog  ovpavog 

(Three  cathismaia — that  is,  hymns  sung  seated — from  the  Day- 
dawn  or  Lauds  for  the  Conception  of  Anna,  December  9,  in  the 
"Menaea."  The  translation  of  Littledale,  found  in  "The  People's 
Hymnal,"  is  an  expansion  of  the  original,  the  second  stanza  being 
introduced  for  the  sake  of  clearness.  The  doxology  is  also  by 
Littledale.) 

Within  the  womb  of  Anna, 

By  God's  creating  will. 
To-day  another  heaven 

Is  framed  for  God  to  fill. 
From  which  that  Sun  unsetting 

On  all  the  world  hath  shined. 
Supreme  in  loving  Godhead, 

The  Saviour  of  mankind. 

The  choir  of  ancient  prophets 

Foretold  that  Virgin  fair. 
The  spotless  one  and  holy. 

Whom  barren  Anna  bare. 
To-day  with  hearts  rejoicing 

We  bless  her  honored  name, 
We  who  receive  the  Saviour 

From  Mary,  pure  from  blame. 

Be  thou  renewed,  O  Adam, 

O  Eve,  in  gladness  bound, 
The  fairest  bud  hath  blossomed 

From  dry  and  sterile  ground : 


170  HYMNS   AND   POETRY   OF 

It  blooms  with  life  immortal. 

Takes  barrenness  away. 
So  we,  in  jubilation. 

Rejoice  with  them  to-day. 

Declare  aloud,  O  David, 

What  sware  the  Lord  to  thee? 
What  God  the  Lord  hath  promised 

Ye  now  fulfilled  may  see: 
He  giveth  us  the  Virgin 

Who  from  my  loins  doth  spring, 
Who  bore  the  world's  Creator, 

The  Adam  new,  the  King : 

The  Christ,  who  sits  in  glory 

Upon  my  throne  to-day. 
Who  governeth  the  kingdom 

Which  knoweth  no  decay. 
The  barren  bears  the  Virgin, 

God's  Mother  ever  blest, 
Who  gave  to  Life's  own  Giver 

Sweet  nurture  from  her  breast. 

From  angel  ranks  in  heaven. 

From  choirs  of  men  below. 
Let  strains  of  hymns  exulting 

In  perfect  concord  flow; 
In  praise  of  God  the  Father, 

In  praise  of  God  the  Son, 
In  praise  of  God  the  Spirit, 

The  Three  who  are  but  One.    Amen. 


THE   EASTERN   CHURCH  171 

(Three  prosontta — that  is,  hymns  of  a  similar  structure — from  the 
Vespers  of  Saint  John  the  Divine,  May  8,  in  the  "Menaea."  The 
translation  in  "The  People's  Hymnal"  is  that  of  Littledale.  The 
foiirth  stanza  is  not  in  the  original.) 

O  Saint,  permitted  here  to  see 

Unutterable  visions  bright, 
O  mighty  son  of  Zebedee, 

Who  didst  that  holy  Gospel  write, 
Which  telleth  us  of  Christ  the  Son, 
With  Father  and  with  Spirit  One. 

O  harp,  aroused  by  God's  own  hand. 
Whose  tones  on  earth  for  us  prolong 

The  music  of  the  far-off  land. 
The  echoes  of  celestial  song; 

How  sweet  to  us  the  notes  that  rung 

From  thy  pure  lips  and  tuneful  tongue ! 

Beloved  disciple  of  the  Lord, 

Thou  hast  proclaimed,  with  thunder-sound. 
The  hidden  Wisdom,  God  the  Word, 

Unto  the  world's  remotest  bound. 
And  with  thy  gleaming  torch  art  guide 
Of  all  to  the  Redeemer's  side. 

For  thou  hast  lain  on  Jesu's  breast. 
By  thine  own  fervent  love  made  bold. 

And  now  hast  found  thy  perfect  rest 
Within  thy  Saviour's  inner  fold; 

There  may  thy  Master,  by  his  grace. 

Admit  us  too  to  see  his  face. 


172         HYMNS  OF  THE   EASTERN    CHURCH 

AlyvTTTOV  (pcdarrjp 

(Three  homoia — hymns  of  the  same  structure — from  the  Office  for 
Saint  Mark,  April  25,  in  the  "Menaea."  The  translation  in  "The 
People's  Hymnal"  is  by  Littledale.  The  doxology  is  not  in  the 
original.) 

Mark,  shining  light  of  Egypt, 

True  servant  of  the  Lord, 

Thou  penman  of  good  tidings, 

Thou  herald  of  the  Word. 

With  melody  and  gladness 

To-day  thy  praise  we  sing. 
Who  askest  peace  and  mercy 

For  us  from  Christ  the  King. 

Thou  wrotest  in  thy  record 

The  oracles  divine. 
And  madest  Jesu's  glory 

Upon  the  world  to  shine. 

And  telling  how  the  Man-God 

His  glorious  Passion  bore. 
And  how  he  rose  in  power. 

And  took  his  crown  once  more. 

Thou  drawest  on  the  nations 
For  that  same  truth  to  yearn, 

Which  thou  from  Peter's  teaching 
Thyself  didst  gladly  learn. 

So  lightening  the  people. 

With  God  the  Spirit's  grace. 
Thou  sentest  rays  of  brightness 

O'er  Egypt's  darkened  race. 

Then  unto  Christ  the  Saviour, 
Whom  thou  hast  preached,  be  laud 

To  Father  and  to  Spirit, 
The  One  Eternal  God.    Amen. 


1F^^ey  of  fivBt  %\nce 

PAGE 

A  great  and  mighty  wonder! 103 

A  Star  shines  forth  in  heaven  suddenly 87 

After  three  days  Thou  didst  rise 159 

Again  we  hail  the  opening  morn 67 

Are  thy  toils  and  woes  increasing? 154 

Art  thou  weary,  art  thou  languid 142 

As  Jonah,  issuing  from  his  three  days'  tomb 138 

As  my  provision  for  my  journey,  I  have  taken  thee 9a 

Awake,  our  lute,  the  Child  to  sing 71 

Behold,  the  Bridegroom  cometh  in  the  middle  of  the 

night 164 

Bethlehem  hath  opened  Eden 132 

Bridle  of  untamed  colts 21 

Child,  by  God's  sweet  mercy  given 91 

Christ  is  born !     Tell  forth  his  fame ! 134 

Christ,  Mercy's  holy  River 168 

Christ,  my  Lord,  I  come  to  bless  thee 47 

Christ  the  Son 80 

Christ,  we  sing  thy  saving  Passion 165 

Christian!  dost  thou  see  them 109 

Come,  let  us  drink  of  that  new  river 116 

Exalt,  exalt,  the  heavenly  gates 158 

Father  of  Peace,  and  God  of  Consolation 137 

Fierce  was  the  wild  billow 105 

Glory  in  the  highest  of  God 15 

Glory  to  the  glorious  One 94 

God  comes;-  and  who  shall  stand  before  his  fear? 147 

Habakkuk  in  ancient  song ,  1 14 

Hail!  cheerful  Light,  of  his  pure  glory  poured 18 

He  calls  us  to  a  day  of  gladness 90 

He  who  with  His  mighty  hand 141 

Hear  us  now,  Eternal  Monarch 34 

173 


174  INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES 

PAGE 

Him,  of  the  Father's  very  Essence 134 

How  bitter  is  the  grief 98 

If  the  dark  and  awful  tomb 121 

In  Bethlehem  is  He  born! 104 

Into  his  arms  with  tender  love 86 

Into  the  dim  earth's  lowest  parts  descending 118 

Into  the  fiery  furnace  flung 123 

Jehovah,  judge  my  cause 96 

Jesu,  give  thy  servants 124 

Jesu,  name  all  names  above 160 

Jesus,  hastening  for  the  world  to  suffer 108 

Jesus,  Lord  of  Life  eternal , 156 

Let  all  mortal  flesh  keep   silence,   and  with  fear  and 

trembling  stand 167 

Let  heaven  rejoice,  and  earth  be  glad 130 

Let  our  choir  new  anthems  raise 155 

Let  us  rise  in  early  morning 117 

Lift  up  thyself,  my  soul 70 

Mark,  shining  light  of  Egypt 172 

O  Bride  of  Christ  on  high 48 

O  Christ  the  King!  since  breath  pent  up  so  long 38 

O  my  deathless,  O  my  blessed 75 

O  Saint,  permitted  here  to  see 171 

O  the  mystery,  passing  wonder 107 

O  thou,  the  One  supreme  o'er  all! 36 

O  Thou  the  Word  of  truth  divine! 46 

O  thou  uncovered  Corse,  Word  of  the  Living  One 163 

O!  'tis  no  theme  of  common  things 76 

O  Unity  of  Threefold  Light 162 

O  wondrous  mystery,  full  of  passing  grace! 140 

Of  twofold  natures,  Christ,  the  Giver 158 

Our  hymns  receive.  Redeemer 113 

Praise  the  Lord,  O  ye  his  servants 17 

Rod  of  the  Root  of  Jesse 136 

Salem  is  shouting  with  her  children 88 

Shepherd  of  tender  youth 24 

Shine!  shine!  O  new  Jerusalem 120 

Stand  on  thy  watchtower,  Habakkuk  the  Seer 116 


INDEX  OF  FIRST  LINES  175 

PAGE 

Take  the  last  kiss, — the  last  forever! 125 

That  fearful  day,  that  day  of  speechless  dread 146 

The  Bridegroom  cometh!  overhead 27 

The  day  is  near,  the  judgment  is  at  hand 148 

The  day  is  past  and  over 102 

The  dewy  freshness  that  the  furnace  flings 139 

The  first  of  all  apostles no 

The  Holy  Children  boldly  stand 138 

The  Lord  and  King  of  all  things 105 

The  Lord  draws  nigh,  the  righteous  throne's  Assessor.  .  150 

The  Lord  my  Maker,  forming  me  of  clay 144 

The  Lord,  the  Lord  hath  triumphed 152 

The  sepulcher  is  holding 166 

The  tuneful  sound  of  music 122 

The  wonder-working  Master 112 

The  world's  producing  law  was  Primal  Mind 19 

Thee,  with  the  holy  self-sprung  Fount,  we  sing 73 

They  who  with  Mary  came 121 

Thou  art  blessed,  O  Lord,  who  nourishest  me  from  my 

youth 18 

Thou  hallowed  chosen  morn  of  praise 119 

'Tis  dawn:  to  God  I  lift  my  hand 46 

'Tis  the  day  of  resurrection 115 

To  Thee  at  evening  gray 70 

To  thee,  O  God,  be  praises 89 

Wafting  Him  up  on  high 157 

Wake,  wake,  I  pray  thee,  shrill-toned  lyre! 60 

Well-beloved  and  glory-laden 78 

What  wilt  thou  possess  or  be  ? 40 

Where  are  my  winged  words?     Dissolved  in  air 57 

Who  from  the  fiery  furnace  saved  the  Three 118 

With  pain  earth's  joys  are  mingled 129 

Within  the  womb  of  Anna 169 


':^^^  /w-^  ::¥'-**^^ 


LITERATURE 


705 


Hollow,  whence  comes  the  beautiful  leaf 
Protophyllum  sternhergii,  and  many  of 
the  years  since  he  has  spent  in  the  arid 
plains  of  Kansas,  once  swampy  forest. 
His  unpretentiously  written  narrative 
brings  out  perfectly  the  personality  of 
the  man,  the  indefatigable  zeal  for  re- 
search, the  joy  of  discovery,  the  honest 
pride  in  having  assisted  so  many  great 
men  in  recreating  the  life  of  the  days 
when  the  rock  was  laid. 

St 

Hymns  and  Poetry  of  the  Eastern  Church. 
Collected  and  chronologically  arranged 
by  Bemhard  Pick.  New  York:  Eaton 
&  Mains.  Cincinnati:  Jennings  &  Gra- 
ham. $1.00. 
The  Rev.  J.  M.  Neale,  a  pioneer  Eng- 
lish translator  of  "Hymns  of  the  Eastern 
Church,"  brought  out  his  tiny  volume  of 
that  name  early  in  1862.  He  had  been 
studying  the  subject  for  years  and  had 
kept  most  of  these  translations  by  him 
for  nearly  a  decade.  So  welcome  were 
these  versions  from  the  Greek  to  English 
speaking  Christians  that  before  the  year 
was  out  numbers  of  them  had  found  their 
way  into  hymnals  and  a  second  edition 
was  issued.  In  four  years,  when  the  third 
edition  was  published,  eleven  of  his  ver- 
sions had  been  included  in  a  single 
hymnal.  But  before  Dr.  Neale's  little 
book  was  printed  Burgess's  "Select  Met- 
rical Hymns  and  Homilies  of  Ephraem 
Lyrus"  had  been  brought  out  in  London 
(1853)  and  a  number  of  versions  from 
the  Greek  had  been  included  in  a  few 
German  or  English  collections  of  Chris- 
tian hymns.  Since  Neale's  first  essay, 
Bonar,  Mrs.  Browning,  Mrs.  Charles, 
Christ  and  Paranikas,  Chatfield,  Julian, 
Shaff  and  Shipley  have  made  a  study  of 
Eastern  hymns  and  have  translated,  writ- 
Ion  about  them,  or  included  them  in  col- 
lections. The  Rev.  Mr.  Pick  has  had 
all  these  sources  to  draw  from  and  has 
also  introduced  versions  by  Dexter,  Dix, 
McMahon,  Moultrie  and  Isaac  Williams', 
who  preceded  Neale  by  many  years.  Of 
the  hundred  hymns  here  collected  a  few 
are  unrhymed,  but  most  are  ihynied  and 
metrical.  Two-fifths  of  the  number  are 
drawn  from  Neale,  who,  by  merely  bor- 
rowing a  suggestion  or  thought  from  the 
Greek,  gave  us  some  of  our  most  treas- 
ured hymns  {e.  g..  "Art  Thou  Wearied? 
Art   Thou   Languid?").      Chatfield    and 


Dix  follow  him  with  more  than  ten  trans- 
lations each,  while  Bonar  and  eight  or 
ten  others  supply  three,  two  or  one  each. 
The  dates  of  the  originals,  not  counting 
a  few  early  anonymous  writers,  range 
from  the  time  of  Clement  of  Alexandria, 
who  died  about  A.  D.  212,  from  whose 
hymn  Dr.  Henry  Dexter  adapted  his 
familiar  "Shepherd  of  Tender  Youth,"  to 
Simeon  Metaphrastes,  who  is  supposed  to 
have  died  about  A.  D.  959,  a  period  of 
more  than  700  years.  A  few  later 
anonymous  hymns  are  appended,  among 
them'  Moultrie's  "Behold  the  Bride- 
groom   Cometh."      Mr.    Pick   has   done 


FROM      CABLE'S      "KINCAID'S      BAT- 
TERY." 

good  service  in  making  this  compilation  ; 
and,  in  his  notes  and  introductions,  he 
has  given  due  credit  to  other  students  of 
Eaptern  hymnology.  There  is  a  simplic- 
ity about  many  of  these  Greek  hymns 
that  makes  it  comparatively  easy  for  the 
translator  to  turn  them  into  good,  racv 
English,  a  task  that  the  translator  of 
Latin  hymns  can  seldom  accomplish. 

At  Large.  By  Arthur  Christopher  Benson 
New  York:  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.  $1.50, 
^  The  public  has  been  waiting  for  Mr. 
Benson's  versatility  and  brilliant  vivaci- 
ty to  M'ear  itself  oiit,  but  book  after  book 


